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Solo vacations: the 36 best places to travel alone in 2024.

These fun destinations make traveling on your own simple and spectacular.

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From beach retreats to artsy escapes, take your next solo trip to somewhere spectacular.

Perth, Australia

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Asheville, North Carolina

Tuscany, Italy

Santa Barbara, California

New York City

Seville, Spain

Naples, Florida

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Portland, Oregon

New Zealand

Galápagos Islands

Charleston, South Carolina

Athens, Greece

New Orleans

Austin, Texas

San Francisco

Munich, Germany

Florianópolis, Brazil

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25 Best International Destinations for Solo Travel

When you’re looking to travel alone, these are the safest, most exciting, and all-around best destinations for flying solo.

Sometimes you are your own best company. Whether you want to plan a romp around Japan on your own terms, or your friends can’t fit that Scottish sojourn into their schedule at the moment, there are a variety of reasons to travel alone.

The benefits of traveling solo range from the freedom to fully indulge your every whim to a sense of empowerment to opportunities for reflection, self-discovery, and new friendships.

Whatever your reasons, traveling solo can be one of life's most rewarding experiences. And, whether you're about to embark on your first solo trip or your 20th, tackling a trip by yourself can be incredibly nerve-wracking. 

We wouldn't want a lack of company to keep you from booking that ticket, so we've come up with a list of countries ideal for both first-time and experienced solo travelers, including safe destinations where you can expect a warm welcome. We take you through longtime favorites like Mexico, as well as destinations that are becoming increasingly popular with solo travelers like Egypt and Croatia.

From castle crawls in Germany to seeing the Northern Lights in Norway, here are the best countries for solo travel abroad.

There's a reason why Iceland has consistently ranked among the hottest destinations in recent years: The country is a haven for travelers who love the outdoors, with caverns and caves to explore, volcanoes and glaciers to hike, and geothermal spas to soak in — and since it's the most peaceful country in the world, according to a recent Global Peace Index report, solo travelers can explore the country worry-free.

If you're traveling to Reykjavík, consider taking a day trip to the ever-popular Blue Lagoon , or go whale watching in Faxaflói Bay. For those wanting to get out of the city, Thingvellir National Park  offers camping, hiking trails, horseback riding, and the freshwater Silfra fissure, considered one of the best diving spots in the world.

2. Costa Rica

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Costa Rica has long had a reputation as one of the happiest countries in the world, and it's easy to see why. In Costa Rica you'll find plenty of outdoor activities to please your adventurous side, from whitewater rafting down the Reventazón River and zip lining through gorgeous rainforests to rappelling down waterfalls and hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park .

If you need a bit of respite amidst all the activity, Arenal has hot springs perfect for relaxing, or you can enjoy the white sands and wildlife at Playa Manuel Antonio, a tropical beach in Manuel Antonio National Park .

3. New Zealand

New Zealand is a popular destination for backpackers, outdoor enthusiasts , and thrill-seekers striking out on their own — maybe because it's the second most peaceful country in the world, according to the Global Peace Index .

The country is a haven for outdoorsy types and one of the best places to meet fellow travelers. You can take a cruise through the fjords, rainforests, and waterfalls of Milford Sound; heli-hike your way through Franz Josef Glacier ; trek part (or all) of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing ; explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves ; or go whale-watching in the Bay of Plenty .

If you need some down time from all your adventuring, take a day trip to Waiheke Island for wine tours or make your way to the Hobbiton Movie Set to wander the real-life version of the Shire. With so much to do, you won't miss having a travel buddy.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

With a thriving backpacker culture and accommodating resorts, Mexico is an optimal place for any type of solo trip. Locals are friendly and the country is dotted with cultural sites and a beautiful natural landscape — never mind all the tacos, empanadas, and tortas!  

There are Mayan ruins near Cancun, whale watching in Los Cabos, Instagram opportunities in Tulum, tamales and mezcal in Oaxaca, and a thriving art scene in Mexico City.  

5. Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its stunning beauty and there may be no better way to see the country than by train. Purchase a Swiss Travel Pass , which gives you unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat, and journey past stunning waterfalls, forests, and lakes. Then, hop off the train to hike the Alps, visit medieval castles, and drink Swiss wine.

In the country that invented milk chocolate, indulging in the decadent, creamy treat is a no-brainer. But instead of simply picking up a bar of Toblerone or Lindt Chocolate at the nearest grocery store, take a chocolate-themed walking tour in Lucerne or Zürich, or visit one of the area's several world-famous chocolate factories.

Chile's landscape is as beautiful as it is diverse. Whether you explore Torres del Paine National Park or the San Rafael Glacier in Patagonia, climb an active volcano in the Lake District, or camp underneath the brilliant night sky in the Atacama Desert , you're sure to find an adventure that suits your fancy.

In Santiago, adventure meets culture, and the city is easy to navigate by foot or bicycle. You can hike San Cristóbal Hill or Santa Lucía Hill for panoramic views of the capital, browse the boutique shops, cafes, and cocktail bars in the Bellavista neighborhood, or explore the city's many museums and art galleries.

7. Netherlands

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

For any first-time solo travelers, the Netherlands is a great place to get your newly-independent feet wet. In Amsterdam, with its laid-back and friendly culture, do as the locals do: Get around by bike. Start in Vondelpark , a popular urban park, then bike to world-famous museums like the Van Gogh Museum , passing the city's picturesque canals and bridges along the way.

Head to the Netherlands between mid-April and the first week of May, and you'll be welcomed by a glorious array of the country's most beloved flower: the tulip. The Keukenhof , also known as the Garden of Europe, is located just outside Amsterdam and boasts over seven million bulbs and hundreds of varieties of tulips. Or, go to Noordoostpolder to see even more colorful blooms during the annual Tulip Festival .

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Spain has a little bit of everything to please everyone: art museums, gorgeous architecture, delicious food, stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and jaw-dropping hikes.

In Barcelona, wander Park Güell , a public park that doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features modern architecture, sculptures, and mosaics designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Continue your Gaudí tour at Sagrada Família before moving onto the Picasso Museum . When you start to get hungry, make your way to Mercado de La Boqueria , the oldest market in the city.

You can also find some of the world's best beaches in Spain, such as Ocata Beach near Barcelona and Socorro Beach in Tenerife. The brave and truly adventurous can join an organized hike through Caminito del Rey in Málaga or begin their journey along the famed Camino de Santiago.

Austria is a must-see for solo travelers with a taste for fine culture. See for yourself why Vienna is known as the City of Music and attend a concert at the State Opera House or the Musikverein . The city also boasts hundreds of museums, prime for exploring in between experiencing traditional Viennese coffeehouse culture.

In Salzburg, backdrop to "The Sound of Music," fans of the musical can take themed tours of the city and round out their trip by visiting Mozart's Birthplace and climbing to the top of Hohensalzburg Fortress for unforgettable views of the city.

10. Denmark

Denmark is another easy-to-tackle country for solo travelers. Start in Copenhagen and head to the Nyhavn district to see the city's iconic wooden ships and colorful townhouses lining the canal. Afterward, take a stroll through Tivoli Gardens . While beloved for its amusement park, the popular attraction also features flower gardens, bubble fountains, and an aquarium.

Shakespeare aficionados should head to Kronborg Castle : The UNESCO World Heritage site inspired Elsinore Castle in "Hamlet." While there, take the train to nearby Hillerød, where you'll find Frederiksborg Castle, home to the Danish Museum of National History .

First stop: Tokyo. Whether you shop in the luxurious Ginza neighborhood, ride to the top of one of the world's tallest towers , tour the Sensō-ji temple , dine on ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (the famous chain serves steaming bowls of ramen at no-frills booths), or take a leisurely stroll through a traditional Japanese garden, you'll never run out of things to do in the glitzy city.

If you need some rest from the hustle and bustle, you can take a bullet train to Kyoto, where you'll find a plethora of shrines, gardens, and temples. Since the tea ceremony has its roots in Kyoto , you may wish to partake in the tradition while you're there. Be sure to visit during the springtime to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms in bloom.

Lara D'agostino/Travel + Leisure

Visit Norway during the summer for warmer weather and lots of outdoor attractions and activities. In Oslo, you can explore the capital's many museums, restaurants, and parks by walking, cycling, or taking public transportation. Or, book a spot on a Hurtigruten coastal steamer — there's no single supplement on select voyages — and cruise through the country's famous fjords on a multi-day adventure, stopping at numerous ports of call along the stunning coastline to hike, kayak, safari, and more. You'll even cross the Arctic Circle!

On the other hand, if seeing the Northern Lights tops your list, a trip to Norway between November and March will land you there during peak aurora borealis season. For optimum viewing of the natural phenomenon, head to the heart of the aurora zone: the city of Tromsø.

13. Ireland

If the idea of traveling by yourself to a country where you don't speak the language makes you nervous, then opt to visit Ireland. In Dublin, you can take a literary walking tour of the UNESCO City of Literature , browse Grafton Street's bustling shops, and cozy up in the Guinness Storehouse with a pint of the world-famous stout.

With its stunning scenery and friendly inhabitants, Galway is not to be missed, either. While you're there, stroll along the lovely Salthill Promenade, or park yourself in a traditional pub in Eyre Square to listen to live Irish folk music. If you're looking to get out of the city, hop on a ferry to the nearby Aran Islands to explore medieval ruins and forts, or take a public bus to the iconic Cliffs of Moher for breathtaking views.

14. Uruguay

This South American country is perfect for those who just want to relax by the ocean and soak up the sun. Punta del Este may be best known for its gorgeous beaches, like Playa Mansa and Playa Brava. But, if you want to escape the crowds, consider visiting the more secluded beaches in Jose Ignacio and Rocha.

Montevideo isn't short on beaches, either, and for those who want to mix up sunbathing with cultural experiences, the capital also offers historical attractions, museums, and traditional Candombe music and dance performances.

15. Albania

Its friendly locals and gorgeous scenery makes Albania an up-and-coming destination for solo travelers. Journey to the Blue Eye spring near Saranda and you'll encounter some of the bluest, clearest water in the world. Since you might find the water too cold to swim in, head to the Albanian coast for fun and sun on any of the country's beautiful beaches, or soak in Përmet's Benja Thermal Baths — they're said to have healing properties.

You may also want to consider taking a day trip to Berat — nicknamed the "town of a thousand windows" — to marvel at the city's stunning architecture. From the Ottoman-era buildings and medieval castles to the mosques and Holy Trinity Church, you'll quickly see why the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site .

16. Vietnam

Endless adventure awaits in Vietnam. Hop on a boat that departs from Hạ Long and cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, home to some of the world's most striking blue water and natural landscapes. Take a guided tour of Hang Sơn Đoòng , the largest natural cave in the world. Visit Hội An during the full moon and you'll be welcomed by the awe-inspiring sight of hundreds of lanterns floating down the Thu Bồn River during the city's monthly full moon festival.

In Ho Chi Minh City, you can indulge in street food at Bến Thành Market, one of the city's earliest surviving structures, and brush up on Vietnam War history during a tour of the War Remnants Museum and the Củ Chi Tunnels. Travel to Hanoi to explore the capital's impressive historical and cultural sites, and take a leisurely stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.

17. Germany

Germany has several major cities that are accessible to anyone traveling on their own. Hop on a bike in Berlin to explore the city's abundance of museums, historical sites, cafés, nightclubs, and parks. You can also visit Munich during Oktoberfest , but if you'd rather avoid the crowds, you can enjoy the city's beer gardens any time of year. And if you head to Frankfurt, you'll discover an eclectic array of museums, cafés, boutiques, restaurants, and a lush botanical garden in the increasingly popular city.

You should also consider planning side trips to see some of Germany's famous castles — there are over 20,000 of them. From the Gothic-style Liechtenstein Castle to the dramatic Neuschwanstein Castle, visiting any of Germany's magical old sites will have you feeling like you stepped straight into a fairy tale.

18. Finland

Thanks to the camaraderie of the traditional sauna experience , it's easy to meet people in Finland as a solo traveler — the country is home to over three million saunas, from Helsinki to Tampere and Savonlinna.

But there's more to Finland than saunas. In Helsinki, you'll find magnificent architecture, museums, parks, markets, and more — all easily accessible by foot or public transportation. Travel to the coasts to see a lovely array of lighthouses, or head to Rauma or Loviisa to spend a day in a wooden town. While it may be best to go to "The Land of the Midnight Sun" in the summer, visit during the winter for peak viewing of the Northern Lights.

19. Scotland

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

With extensive folklore, outdoor adventure, and stunning beauty around every corner, Scotland is the perfect place to reconnect with yourself. It’s a safe, cozy sojourn for anyone who loves postcard-perfect views. Explore Edinburgh by bike, stopping at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Holyrood Park . 

You’d be remiss not to try the country’s world-class golf while you’re there — you’ll have more than 550 courses to choose from. 

Feeling brave? Head to the Scottish Highlands to seek out the legendary underwater monster at Loch Ness, and while you're there, visit Urquhart Castle , which dates all the way back to the thirteenth century.  

20. Australia

This popular solo travel destination is considered to be an exceptionally safe place with a wide range of areas to explore. Start in Sydney, with its friendly vibe and thriving art, food, and sport scenes, where you can walk around Sydney Harbour or explore the white-sand shore at Bondi Beach. Hit the epic swells of Victoria and then ride the tram around Melbourne for a coffee shop crawl. You can also hit hiking trails in Tasmania to experience Australia's natural splendor by foot. Speaking of, the Great Barrier Reef awaits snorkelers off the coast of Far North Queensland. 

You’ll probably want to fly between destinations — this is a huge country, after all — but you can also rent a car and indulge in an Australian road trip. Or, go old-school and traverse the country by train on The Ghan , where you can experience the outback on a journey from Adelaide to Darwin.    

Getty Images/Julia Gnther/EyeEm

From the slopes of British Columbia to the cosmopolitan wonders of Toronto , Canada has tons to keep you entertained, even when you’re alone. Our neighbor to the north is a quick flight (or a reasonable drive depending on where you’re coming from and going to) and accessible in terms of language, exchange rate, and transportation.   

If you opt for Canada's largest city, explore the arts and culture of Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre , eat your way through St. Lawrence Market , or get to know the city's eclectic range of neighborhoods. Over in Vancouver, you can bike your way through the waterfront city, or cross the vertigo-inducing Capilano Suspension Bridge , a 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high bridge cutting through lush woodland. Go straight to Alberta to explore Banff National Park ’s famous glacial lakes and Rocky Mountain vistas.   

22. Thailand

Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Thailand has long been an affordable destination and, because of its safe, accessible atmosphere, it’s becoming just as popular with solo travelers. Explore the delicious food, thrilling nightlife, and tranquil spas of Bangkok. The tropical paradise also has beautiful beaches — we recommend those of Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands — for lounging the day away by the Andaman Sea.  

Public transportation is easy and readily available, from trains, subways, buses, and taxis to long-tail boats and tuk-tuks. Head here in mid-April for the Songkran Water Splashing Festival to celebrate the Buddhist New Year with parades, street parties, and performances. 

23. Croatia

Dreamer4787/Getty Images

If you’re feeling spontaneous, book a solo trip to Croatia, where you’ll be able to stretch your budget across spectacular beaches , rich history, and delectable cuisine. With a desirable exchange rate and friendly locals, this is perfect for any party of one. Become a beach bum on the unspoiled shores of the Dalmatian Islands. You’ll have the blue waters, white sands, and dramatic limestone cliffs to admire as you lounge by yourself. Then, eat your weight in white truffle pasta and fresh seafood before walking it off around Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town.  

Anton Aleksenko/Getty Images

Egypt is becoming more desirable for solo travel. A cruise down the Nile might be the best (not to mention safest and most convenient) way to see the African country alone. Eat delicious falafel in Cairo, explore the Great Pyramids in Giza, and discover ancient temples and tombs. And then return to your five-star accommodations before sailing off to the next archaeological wonder.  

There are also new (or updated) sights to see in the ancient destination. In 2022, the Avenue of the Sphinxes in Luxor reopened after years of renovations. And, be on the lookout for the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which should open sometime in 2023. 

25. England

Take solitary strolls along stunning cliffs, around quaint, small towns, or down urban streets in England. London is a natural choice for any Americans traveling across the pond. Traipse around Trafalgar Square , see the Rembrandts and Cézannes at the National Gallery , or enjoy a proper afternoon tea service at The Lanesborough . 

But, of course, there are also the charming English towns that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. One of the best parts of traveling to England is the history and you’ll find plenty of that in its storybook castles and the industrial-age towns of Yorkshire.   

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The 15 best places to travel alone

There’s nothing like gallivanting around the globe on your own. These are the best solo travel destinations in the world

Nothing sounds quite as liberating as upping sticks and going to see the world, at whatever pace, and for however long you want. The freedom of only being tied to your own schedule is the beauty of travelling solo, and it seems like lots of us are catching on. 

Travelling the world alone has only grown in popularity since we came out of pandemic restrictions, with many of us adopting the ‘life’s too short’ mindset, and working up the courage to just book that damn flight. And why shouldn’t we? There’s such an abundance of places to travel solo, some so glorious that you won’t even notice you don’t have company. 

Of course, there are some things to consider if you’re jetting off solo. Safety, especially for women travellers , is an important element to factor into your planning, among plenty of other aspects that need weighing up. We’ve done our research: here is our list of the best solo travel destinations in the world. 

RECOMMENDED:  🧗‍♀️ The best destinations for solo female travel ☀️ The prettiest islands in the world 🌆 The  best cities in the world  🖼️ The most beautiful places in the world

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The best places to travel alone

1.  Iceland

The aptly-named ‘land of fire and ice’ is a magnet for nature fanatics, and perfect for those travelling solo. An abundance of caves, caverns, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and geysers should be plenty to keep you occupied, as the landscape and scope of this Nordic island is second to none. The country’s charming capital, Reykjavik , is jam-packed with activity – why not add the Blue Lagoon or the Laugarvatn Fontana to your to-do list for some solo relaxation? And the best thing about Iceland for solo travellers is the safety. The country is named time and time again named  one of the safest places for travellers , thanks to low crime rates and a generally accepting society. It’s definitely one for the bucket list.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Iceland

2.  East Coast Australia

It goes without saying that Australia is absolutely massive. Mahoosive. Ginormous. And while that fact might make it seem daunting, particularly for those of us travelling solo, most of the action is concentrated on the East Coast. There are plenty of classic routes that run from Adelaide to Brisbane and beyond, allowing intrepid explorers to visit a variety of exciting towns that each seem to have their own magnificent ocean view. Australians are famously sociable, too, so meeting new people will never be an issue in this isolated corner of our beautiful planet.

📍 Discover the best places to visit in Australia

3.  Botswana

For those keen to explore the wonders of Africa, Botswana is likely your best bet. The country has a wealth of wildlife to appreciate and observe, with nearly 40 percent of its land area being devoted to national parks. The Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert and Chobe National Park are world-renowned safari spots, home to everything from giraffes to rhinos. Botswana is also a politically and economically steady nation, and ranks highly on safety indexes for African countries. This, plus the fact that many Botswanans speak excellent English, makes it a great destination to navigate on your solo travels.

4.  Canada

Canada ’s name is one thrown around most often when it comes to solo travel. The population has a worldwide reputation for their friendliness, and the country has everything you could want from a travel destination. Incredible off-the-grid adventure opportunities like visiting the Rockies, Niagara Falls and Banff National Park offer up plenty to see for intrepid globetrotters. However, Toronto is considered one of the world’s most multicultural cities, and Vancouver is famed for its unique urban design, stunning surroundings and the fact it's on the doorstep to some incredible nature. The weather? Not so great, but the people? Incredible.

5.  Vietnam

Vietnam ’s unique beauty and complicated history make it a compelling travel destination, particularly for those doing so alone. The country has grown into a popular travelling hotspot, and that’s led to a thriving social scene – the well-established tourist route means it should be really easy to meet like-minded travellers to journey alongside. Ha Long Bay, Hanoi and the Ha Giang Loop are three of the nation’s tourist highlights. There are also great transport networks, it’s budget-friendly and full of hostels. What more could you ask for when you’re travelling alone?

📍 Discover the  best things to do in Vietnam

6.  Portugal

Portugal’s most popular spots frequently pick up travel awards and plaudits alike, and the hype is not without good reason. Lisbon is a backpacker’s dream, while the dreamlike beauty of Porto attracts wide-eyed adventurers from all over the world.  The Algarve is much more than its budget holiday destination suggests, and the rest of the country is packed with stunning sights and spots. This European treasure boasts 800km of coastline, and it’s a particularly surfer-friendly paradise, thanks to the fact it’s perched on the edge of the Atlantic.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Portugal

7.  Chile

In South America, Chile leads the way in terms of quality of life, and unsurprisingly, lowest crime rate. It’s the perfect destination for people travelling alone thanks to its tight-knit community of backpackers, and, of course, abundance of sights to see. Atacama, the driest desert in the world, is located in the north, while there’s plenty to see in Santiago, the nation’s capital. You won’t go thirsty either, thanks to the fantastic Chilean repertoire of beer and wine. It’s also considered one of the best places in the world for stargazing, thanks to its high altitude.

8.  Slovenia

Small but perfectly formed, Slovenia is a tremendous destination for solo travellers. The old ‘four seasons in a day’ adage is very much alive and well in a place where you can spend the morning skiing in the Alps before heading for a romantic solo sunset on the Adriatic at Piran. The capital, Ljubljana, is the perfect base for exploration, a city of friendly people and social spots an easy bus or train from Slovenia’s famous lakes and less-famous postcard villages. Pro tip: pick up a €15 IZLETka train ticket and get unlimited travel on the weekends.

📍 Discover four Slovenian getaways that are good for the planet

9.  New Zealand

New Zealand is a country that just gets things right. For one, it takes its reputation as one of the safest countries in the world very seriously, meaning travellers can explore in total security. But it isn’t usually safety that brings individual adventurers to New Zealand ; instead, it’s the dazzling landscapes, buzzing towns and cities and convivial people that make NZ the place it is. All of the bigger towns are backpacker paradises filled with history, culture and booze (the great trifecta of backpacking), and the scenery in between is staggering.

📍 Discover the best things to do in New Zealand

10.  Ireland

Irish storytelling is world-famous, immortalised in the novels of Joyce, Stoker, Wilde and the rest. Spend an evening in any Dublin pub and you will almost certainly hear a tale for the ages, as locals spin yarns and transport listeners to a world within a world, one pint at a time. The friendly hospitality of the Irish guarantees good conversation, while the stunning breadth of nature here allows for tranquil walks and plenty of room to think, ideal for solo travel. Getting around also couldn’t be easier, as it looks like Irish railway services are about to be amped up .

📍 Discover the best things to do in Ireland

11.  Japan

It can often feel as though Japan has been organised with solo travellers in mind. The efficiency of its transport links is as legendary as such things can be, allowing vagabonds all the time in the world to hit up the gripping cities and out-of-this-world scenery. (Check out our Japan rail itinerary if you’re planning to see the place by train.) The Japanese are among the friendliest in the world, the food is incredible and the whole experience is exactly that: an experience. It’s also another country that is consistently ranked the safest destination in the world for solo travellers .

📍 Discover the best things to do in Japan

12.  Greek Islands

No matter your preferred form of travel, a spot of island-hopping in Greece is almost a rite of passage for any traveller. That’s why you’ll meet everyone from excitable backpackers to considered veterans of the road here, each with a different story to tell. The Greek Islands are gorgeous and lush, not to mention packed with excellent food. Each one seems ready to capture your heart and convince you to stay forever and ever. Kefalonia and Corfu are the most popular and thus offer endless social opportunities, while the serenity of Naxos and Icaria will appeal to more introverted explorers.

📍 Discover the best Greek islands

13.  Bhutan

What could be safer than a culture so infused with Buddhism? Bhutan is definitely a place to include on your list should safety be one of your top priorities. The Trans Bhutan Trail reopened in 2022 , meaning travellers can follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and monks who trod the 400km route. The architecture is awe-inspiring, and the tiny country is of course perched on the very edge of the Himalayas, meaning the views are truly unmatched. There’s also tranquil lakes, luscious green valleys and dazzling glaciers to admire. Take heed: you will need some extra cash to splash in Bhutan, as the country has a pretty steep tourist tax .

14.  Croatia

Another super-safe solo-friendly destination is this jewel of the Adriatic. Boundless glorious beaches, fascinating mediaeval towns and relatively low prices are what Croatia has become so popular for. The nightlife is another perk of this place – the festival calendar is absolutely jam-packed, and Croatian cities are known for their cheap drinks and plethora of party spots. Eight national parks are also dotted around the country. Like waterfalls? There’s a whopping 90 of them at Plitvice Lakes,  though if you want a dip, head to the smaller falls at Krka National Park instead. Croatia is also an underrated wine producer and, of course, a hotspot for  Game of Thrones  fans.

📍 Discover the best things to do in Croatia

15.  Singapore

The phrase ‘melting pot’ is ridiculously overused, but one place that’s truly worthy of the label is Singapore . The island nation is a glorious meeting of different cuisines and cultures, with a landscape characterised by ancient temples and towering glass skyscrapers. Singapore is also incredibly safe, according to 96 percent of locals who we surveyed last year for our annual list of the world’s best cities . There are plenty of hostels if you’re wanting to meet other travellers. Spend your time soaking up the year-round tropical climate, and make sure to go on a food tour through Singapore’s  markets . 

📍 Discover the best things to do in Singapore

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Travel Solo: A Beginner’s Guide To Exploring The World On Your Own

The popularity of solo travel is rising, with nearly 40% more travelers searching for single-traveler flights this year. A quarter of us are considering taking a solo trip next year, showing that many of us are ready to enjoy the beauty of independent travel. But if you’re a newbie to solo travel, it can be daunting to think of traveling alone. This guide will show you how to explore the world on your own and, more importantly, how to enjoy it.

Table of Contents

What Is Solo Travel?

A solo traveler is an individual who goes on a short or long journey away from people they know. It might be a weekend away in their own country or a more extended trip away from the language and culture they are familiar with. It is an individual’s choice to travel independently or go on a group trip with people they don’t know. When you travel solo, you travel according to your own plan. You can choose where you go and who and when you interact with other travelers or locals.

How To Travel Solo Successfully

If you’ve decided to embark on a solo travel trip, here are some tips on the best way to travel solo.

Plan Your Trip

Although there’s nothing wrong with spontaneous travel, it can help you to have a successful solo trip if you know where you want to go. Sit down and think:

• Where do I want to go?
• When do I want to go?
• What countries do I want to visit in your lifetime?
• What activities do I want to do?
• What do I want to eat?
• Do I want to travel completely solo or in a group?

Picture your ideal trip in your mind, and start to plan the things that get you excited about doing. You might want to eat pasta in Italy or go off-grid to a cottage and unplug from society. What gets you engaged with the prospect of solo travel?

Decide Whether You Want To Engage

Traveling solo doesn’t always mean cutting off contact with the outside world. Over 40% of solo travelers want to meet new people . If you anticipate being lonely on the road, try to book activities that involve socializing with groups of people. Alternatively, you might consider booking social accommodation, like a safe hostel or an Airbnb with a host.

You could even plan your overseas travel around working or studying in a particular country to ensure you engage with people daily. Or choose a more international and vibrant city like Barcelona to meet new people from different environments.

If you’re actively looking for peace and quiet away from civilization, you might want to focus on a more natural environment where you can immerse yourself in nature. Or a more spiritual trip like a Buddhist retreat. However, never rule out the possibility of meeting people, especially on longer trips.

Be Prepared

The most important part of learning how to travel solo is considering the basic rules of planning any trip. Remember, though, it’s down to you to manage all elements of your trip.

• Work out how much money you have to spend
• Work out how to get there
• Work out where to go

Safety is also an essential part of how to enjoy solo travel. Check the area and accommodation you stay in, and read reviews beforehand. Join solo travel communities and see if anyone can share some advice on the area you plan to visit.

Also Check Out:   Cheap Places for Solo Female Travelers

Take Your Time

If you’re a solo travel newbie, learning how to travel solo might take time. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed from time to time or feel lonely. For some of us, it might be our first time to manage things independently. Slow the pace down for your first solo travel trip, and avoid packing your days out with activities until you’ve worked out what you’re doing. One of the fundamental parts of learning how to enjoy solo travel is being comfortable spending time alone.

What Are The Benefits Of Solo Travel?

Solo travel has several benefits over traveling in a group. Just some of these benefits include:

• You can travel on your own terms – when you solo travel, you control where you go and who you communicate with. You get to do what you want.
• You don’t have to wait for others – if you want to travel the world, you can do so in your own time, without waiting for others to have the time, want, or money to go.
• You get to meet new people – if you are interested in meeting new people, solo travel is the perfect way to make new experiences without the comfort blanket of old friends.
• You will get a confidence boost – learning how to solo travel is a great way to remind yourself that you can do things independently. Grow your confidence as you learn how to enjoy solo travel.

Should I Solo Travel?

Are you still undecided about whether you want to travel solo? If you want to get to know yourself better, slow down, or want a confidence boost, traveling solo is a great idea. Even if you find out it’s not for you, you’ll never know whether it’s the right time to solo travel until you try. Learning how to solo travel is an achievement; learning how to enjoy solo travel can take time, but is worth it.

Related Reading:   The 9 Best Countries for Solo Travel

Final Thoughts

Solo travel is a decision someone makes to travel on their own, or with people they don’t know. When you decide to solo travel, planning your trips, being aware of how social you want to be, and taking your time can help you enjoy the experience.

Independent journeys can have several benefits for the traveler, from being able to control where and what you see to feeling more confident in yourself and your abilities. If you’re ready to slow down, get to know yourself and try out solo travel, why not give it a go today? Enjoy some quality me-time and get ready for your next adventure.

About  Peter C.

Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad.

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The best solo travel destinations

By Anna Prendergast and Anna Hart

2024 is set to be huge for travellers who want to break away from the beaten path, or simply explore it on their own terms. Typically thought of as a student’s game, studies suggest that senior travellers are starting to take up more space in the  solo travel  sector. Whatever age, stage or vintage, solo travellers tend to take their time and embrace slow travel and research suggests that holidays are deemed more essential than ever for mental health, marking a shift towards carefully curated trips that have a big personal impact and a smaller environmental one. Solo travel is also increasingly accessible, with innovative tour operators such as  Planet Abled  and  Halal Tours  providing tailor-made trips to under-served communities. According to  Skyscanner , over 50 percent of travellers chose to book trips alone in 2023 if their travel interests didn't align with those of their friends – and why compromise? Whether you want to pick up a new skill, immerse yourself in a new culture, take the scenic route or make new friends on a group tour, these are the best solo travel destinations for 2024.

The French Alps

Best for: nature-first escapes

Ski holidays have long been known as group events, with rowdy aprés and jam-packed chalets, but going on a solo trip to the Alps can reap a whole host of rewards. Rise with the sun to be the first to carve through pristine blankets of snow without having to wait for anyone else, avoid boisterous bars in lieu of elegant eateries with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the slopes, and retreat to your serene hotel to cosy up by a roaring fire with a good book. For serious sophistication in Les Trois Vallées, book into Six Senses Residences Courchevel for the ultimate sleek ski experience, while Aman Le Mélézin has a cosseting spa (the deep tissue is guaranteed to re-energize tired legs). If you'd rather travel in the summer months, there are plenty of hiking tours with routes all across the French Alps offering community-led holidays for solo travellers.

Seoul, South Korea

Best for: fashion-forward travellers

There are few things quite as gratifying as a solo shopping trip, and where better to embark on a sartorial adventure than Asia’s most stylish city ? The South Korean capital is known as the home of some of the world’s best-dressed people – and Seoul ’s recent pop culture boom has had a helping hand in highlighting exactly that. Behind the glitz and glamour of Seoul’s sky scraping buildings and futuristic stores, delve into the neighbourhoods that provide the backbone to the city’s fashion-forward reputation. You’ll find artisanal havens that have been operating for generations, from shops dedicated to the ancient craft of ceramics to all-natural skincare brands pairing centuries-old traditions with the latest research. You’ll return home with a suitcase full of secrets.

Best for: safety-first solo travellers

With low crime rates and a harmonious Buddhist culture,  Bhutan  has long held a reputation as a super-safe destination for solo travellers, which is understandably a priority for many, particularly women, Black people, LGBTQ+ or minority communities. In 2022, the Trans Bhutan Trail reopened after 60 years, making this year the perfect time to follow in the footsteps of monks, traders and pilgrims on the 250-mile route. Pass through the folklore-filled Dochula Pass, visit Trongsa’s high-altitude dzongs, and hike up to the sacred cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro Taktsang – the route offers direct access to  Bhutan’s  culture and cuisine, with homestays dotted along the way and local life at every turn, with profits being redirected back into the trail and the communities that support it. The country’s spiritual heritage is somewhat infectious, with outlooks that are grounded in gratitude and see nature as a blessing – the dramatic Himalayan mountainscape, deep green valleys and pristine lakes, rivers and glaciers make it impossible to disagree.

The Galapagos, Ecuador

Best for: upmarket adventure

Few  bucket-list destinations  provide the chance to see quite so much extraordinary wildlife all in one go, but this archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of  Ecuador  has an awe-inspiring, goosebump-giving roster of blue-footed boobies, Galápagos tortoises, sea lions, and flamingos to see in their natural, protected habitat. And that’s just above ground: scuba divers will find white-tip reef sharks, bottlenose dolphins, scalloped hammerheads, black-nosed butterflyfish, king angelfish and manta rays under the surface, especially around Darwin’s Arch and Gordon’s Rock. Liveaboards and dive boats are a super social way for solo travellers to experience somewhere like the Galapagos, which is usually pigeon-holed for large groups, but forward-thinking tour operators are starting to identify a gap in the market for those that want the option of drinks on the deck or a quiet in-room cocktail. Small charters are targeting a more upmarket crowd, such as G Adventures’ new Reina Silva Voyager, which took to the waters in April 2022 with two solo cabins, saving customers money and preserving their privacy.

Bavaria, Germany

Best for: fly-and-flop (face down on a massage table, preferably)

With health – both physical and mental – at the forefront of our consciousness more than ever before,  wellness retreats , spa holidays and treatment-focused trips are no passing trend. And whilst a couples massage sounds lovely in theory, self-care is one of the few spaces in which you’re meant to be entirely self-focused, without anyone else’s expectations, time restraints or itineraries being imposed upon you. But it needn’t feel clinical, either – Bavaria’s many baths are drawn from naturally medicinal hot springs and are often surrounded by glassy lakes, snow-topped mountains and fairytale forests deep in  Germany’s countryside . Traditional spa towns such as Bad Tölz (whose mineral-packed mud baths are credited with relieving back pain and rheumatoid arthritis) are just under an hour from Munich, whilst results-driven Alpine retreats like  Schloss Elmau are 45 minutes from Innsbruck. Flights to both are extremely affordable and take less than two hours from the UK.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Best for: once-in-a-lifetime wildlife

Sustainable  tour operator Intrepid Travel launched its Premium range this year, and it quickly became their most popular product, particularly with the 50+ solo age group seeking out high-end experiences that both step outside their comfort zone and support local communities along the way. According to both Journey Woman and Overseas Adventure Travel, demand has never been higher for women in their 50s, with  safari trips  to destinations such as  Kenya , Tanzania and Botswana leading the trend, indicating that a bucket-list approach to travel in later life is on the rise once again. Botswana brims with breathtaking sights and sounds, as well as being a ‘big five’ destination: herds of elephants gather at waterholes; the great zebra migration takes place cross-country; lions, hippos and giraffes all call the Okavango Delta home. With blue waxbills and woodland kingfishers, it’s a birdwatcher's paradise, too. Depending on whether you’d rather see baby antelopes or take a mokoro canoe trip (for example), be sure to book the right time of year so you don’t miss out. For younguns, EcoTraining runs a variety of courses in Mashatu Game Reserve where you can learn to track animals, navigate the bush, identify species and more – from week-long workshops to year-long qualifications.

Western Australia

Best for: slow travel on your terms

Whether you’re breaking in a new driver’s license or breaking away from the nine-to-five,  Australia’s  appeal is ageless and enduring (and there’s no language barrier for those that speak English). Movements embracing travel by road and rail show no signs of slowing down, and this country’s vast open road and impressive landscape are ideal for both. Being behind the wheel provides total freedom and means you’re in control of your itinerary – if you like a place, stay a while – whilst moving around by train can take the stress out of a solo trip: your route is pre-planned and you can sit back and enjoy the ride. The Ghan is one of Australia’s – and the world’s – most iconic trains, but the transcontinental route from  Sydney  to Perth on the Indian Pacific is a great alternative. Many Aussies use the service, so it’s a fun way to eavesdrop on – and meet – the locals, and the three-day sleeper train means you can gaze out the window at the rugged Blue Mountains and endless expanse of the Nullarbor Plain.

The Dolomites, Italy

Best for: high-energy hikers

A 10-day hut-to-hut stomp through  Italy’s  stunning limestone landscape provides solitude scenery and a sense of achievement in spades – perfect for restless adventurers and those that want a physical challenge that reaps major rewards. Alta Via 1 is around 75 miles and takes about 10 days to complete, and whilst some solo travellers book a mountain leader or group trek, it’s perfectly manageable if you invest in a good guidebook and pack appropriate supplies. Depending on the route you take, there are campsites available, so many take a one-man tent (and lots of layers), but the most immersive experience comes from the traditional rifugios, simple mountainside huts with running water and shared bedrooms set among the wildflowers and evergreens. Since everyone you meet here will be on roughly the same adventure, it’s a lovely way to share stories, trade tips, reflect on the experience and even make friends.

Alessia Armenise

Stacey Lastoe

Connor Sturges

Olivia Morelli

Best for: beaches

It’s hard to imagine a coastline more abundantly blessed than Costa Rica ’s, and nature’s generosity is warmly extended to travellers. The hubs of Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna and Nosara are particularly solo-traveller friendly places to start, and at friendly hostels such as Tamarindo Backpackers , lone travellers land here and immediately place themselves within a tribe of other yogis or surfers, or simply find their crew while clambering through bat-bedecked caves or scaling volcanic peaks.

One of the world’s most biodiverse nations, Costa Rica prioritises wildlife preservation with a string of outdoor adventures on the menu and development balanced by green energy such as hydro and wind power. This makes it a mecca for a particular breed of eco-minded adventurer, a true feel-good destination.

Whether you fancy hiking, mountain-biking, kayaking or even jungle ziplining your way around the country, navigating Costa Rica is made easy for you, a real bonus when you’re doing the schlep solo. Expect to rub up against reassuringly familiar trends from home including farm-to-table dining, an emphasis on sustainable travel, and achingly hip cafés – but Costa Rica remains both tantalisingly exotic and tirelessly surprising.

Stockholm, Sweden

Best for: Scandi cool

Spread across 14 islands connected by bridges, with a cobblestoned old town ( Gamla Stan ) and a smattering of elegant parks, Stockholm combines fairytale good-looks with the functionality of a Scandinavian metropolis, and the safety and slickness of this city makes it a particularly great city option for solo females.

Culture comes easy in Stockholm, so start at the Moderna Museet on the central island of Skeppsholmen, or take things shamelessly pop at the ABBA Museum Hall of Fame . Berns Hotel is the chandelier-draped grand dame with a legendary bar and restaurant, at the geographical and figurative heart of Stockholm, but the stylish young upstart is Miss Clara . This sleek 92-room Nobis hotel is housed in the former Ateneum girls school, with original art nouveau decor and herringbone parquet flooring, swirly bentwood bedheads and arched windows that overlook Sveavägen Boulevard.

Stockholm won’t snatch the crown for cutting-edge-cuisine off Copenhagen’s head anytime soon (the Danish capital has 15 Michelin stars against Stockholm’s nine), but at Mathias Dahlgren's airy, informal Matbaren brasserie on the waterfront you can pick up a Michelin starred lunch for £24.

You haven’t been to Stockholm until you’ve been on the water. Get a break from the city by taking the boat out to the idyllic harbour town of Vaxholm for lunch at the Waxholms Hotel.

Best for: adventure

Canada ’s cities are famously civilised, cultured and classy, but it’s the outdoorsy assets within easy reach of Toronto , Montreal, Vancouver or Ontario that make Canada such a mecca for solo travellers. As the globe's second-biggest country, Canada offers a vast menu of landscapes, from soaring mountains, remote beaches and wild tundra to lush rainforest, all spread across six timezones.

Adventure highlights include kayaking or rafting the South Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories or navigating the swells and surf of Nova Scotia, but the outdoors is also stamped firmly on Canadian cities, so for outdoors-obsessed solo travellers, even the cities deliver. Vancouver’s Stanley Park is that rare thing, a city park that really does feel a little rugged, but spits you out a short cycle from one of the world’s greatest food markets and streetfood scenes at Granville Island .

Heading north out of Vancouver, the quirky town of Dawson in the Yukon Territory offer a rich taste of Canadian smalltown culture, with a music festival that should belong on the list of any culture-craving solo traveller. Dawson is also the launchpad for snow-based activities in the winter months, and hiking and biking in the summertime.

New York, USA

Best for: a city break

If there is a solo travel equivalent to grabbing the bull by the horns, it is this: jetting off to the world’s most high-octane city alone. But you’re never alone in this big anonymous city, you’re never bored, and you’re never conspicuous. New York doesn’t give a damn who you’re with; and such insouciance is infectious.

Every traveller lands in New York clutching a lengthy do-do list, and solo travellers make better progress, so go eat that pretzel in Central Park, wander the art-lined walls of the Metropolitan Museum, stroll wide-eyed along Broadway, catch a world-class show, shop the big brands of Fifth Avenue and the vintage boutiques of Williamsburg and soak in a swish urban spa such as Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca.

The city’s long-established bartop dining scene makes dining solo a relaxed affair, and with urban wineries in Brooklyn, classic Jewish delis in Manhattan and virtually every national cuisine represented in some corner of the city, your tastebuds are in for an adventure. One of the joys of Manhattan is that so many of the city’s prime cultural and artistic attractions are moments away from each other, but it’s also just a breezy subway ride to any other neighbourhood. Perhaps make a music pilgrimage to the iconic jazz joint Minton’s , where Southern-style soul food like smoked praline pork chops and bourbon-loaded cocktails is served to a soundtrack of former Minton’s players like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker.

Best for: responsible travel

The Caribbean might not seem like an obvious choice for solo adventurers, but Dominica is a world away from the pricey honeymoon resorts on neighbouring islands. A ferociously geothermal island around the same size as Anglesey in Wales , Dominica’s volcanic craggy coastline and lack of white-sand beaches has deterred swanky multinational hotels and package tourists for decades – and Dominica is so much richer for it. With a thrilling menu of adventures on offer – treks to bubbling lakes, caving through gushing gorges, rafting up mangrove swamps – and the promise of genuinely affordable accommodation alongside stylish splurges, it’s a genuinely backpackable island, with a fascinating British colonial heritage, vibrant cultural scene and disarmingly caring local community.

2017’s Hurricane Maria took its toll on the island’s infrastructure and the island is keen to welcome back travellers, so this is a genuinely responsible way to spend your tourist dollar and help rebuild the island. The smart way to experience the island is to veer between affordable quirky B&Bs such as Cocoa Cottage and swanky eco-lodges including Secret Bay . An unspoiled, unknown gem, Dominica is set to re-emerge as a destination for eco-minded adventure travellers.

Best for: learning new skills

Thailand is where it all started for travellers the world over, but this South-east Asian idyll is still hard to beat when it comes to transformational solo travel, with courses in everything from Thai cookery to massage to yoga to scuba-diving, and a well-trodden route that makes Thailand particularly safe for solo female travellers.

Chiang Mai makes for a more chilled urban Thai experience than Bangkok , as well as being a springboard to Thailand’s waterfall-studded, rainforested north, and hippy hubs such as Pai. For a treat, book into 137 Pillars for 1880s Lanna architecture, but the warm Thai welcome extends to quirky, charming and more budget-friendly flashpacker joints like Mo Rooms .

Then head south to match with your own dream beach, whether it’s diving with whale sharks off Ko Tao, combining health with hedonism on Ko Phang Nguan, or kiteboarding and kicking back in Hua Hin. The serene spirituality of Thailand as well as the fact that dining well is a gloriously democratic and informal pleasure only adds to the country’s charms for solo adventurers; it’s genuinely hard to feel stressed in Thailand.

Austin, Texas

Best for: eating and drinking

Texans are famously, some would say notoriously, friendly, and Austin is a city where you’ll never be short of a smile, whether it’s across a shared plate of streetfood, across a grimy dancefloor, or across the water of one of the steamy city’s cherished swimming holes. Dining out is a thoroughly relaxed affair in Austin, as much of the best eating in town is dished out of food trucks – where solo travellers join other diners at bar-style seating and never really eat alone. There are over 1,000 food trucks rolling around town, but Gourdough’s doughnuts are cult dishes in Austin, served out of a vintage Airstream; go big and go for grilled banana and bacon.

Hip hotelier Liz Lambert runs the sleek Hotel Saint Cecilia and the more affordable San Jose Hotel around the corner on South Congress, which teems with organic grocery stores, vintage stores, coffeeshops, taco shacks and music venues like the legendary Continental Club .

If South Congress is the city’s hipster thoroughfare, the up-and-coming creative neighbourhood is the East Side, best seen after an afternoon touring and tasting the local brewery, Hops & Grain Brewing . Make pilgrimage to Rainey Street , a residential street turned urban phenomenon, where bars and cafes are housed in converted bungalows. In the morning, leap out of bed early to cycle the steamy 10-mile circuit of Ladybird Lake along the new hike and bike track’, perhaps cooling off at beautiful Barton Springs pool (free before 8am; £2 after), a vast spring-fed swimming pool hewn out of rock.

An expert's guide to Austin

Belfast, Ireland

Best for: making friends

Shunned by travellers for decades because of sectarian violence, in recent years Belfast has emerged as one of the most culturally vibrant and friendly city break destinations in Europe . This a big-hearted town where a lone traveller can turn up alone at a Cathedral Quarter bar like The Spaniard and find a few new friends before they’re halfway through that pint of Guinness. The Merchant remains the city’s smartest hotel, but there are a smattering of stylish and oddly affordable boutique joints, of which the Bullitt Hotel is an exemplar. Meanwhile, on the food scene, mainstays like Mourne Seafood rub up against innovative upstarts like the Muddlers Club .

The newly-minted Titanic Quarter is the city's number-one tourist draw, and the museum centrepiece is well worth a visit, as is the MAC Belfast and the Ulster Museum, which sits in the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Before the Troubles, Belfast was a relatively wealthy Victorian centre of shipbuilding, and leafy parks like Lady Dixon and Lagan Meadows provide a reminder of the city’s gentile past, all too often overlooked by visitors

Best for: surfing

In need of a short-haul sunny destination where you won’t be surrounded by families and couples? Portugal’ s enviable surf camp scene gives its coastline an altogether different vibe, where solo travellers can easily turn up alone and be clinking bottles of Sagres with new friend that evening.

With over 800km of coast, you can choose between melodramatic cliffs, stellar surf breaks, dune-covered beaches and serene sandy islets; Portugal can afford to be generous with its coastline, so no stretch feels entirely dominated by families, or couples, but a healthy mixture. Beyond the beaches, solo travellers hike the granite peaks of Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês or explore the traditional villages in the lesser-explored Beiras, increasingly on the map for wine-loving or retreat-craving travellers.

On top of the natural scenery, Portuguese cities like Lisbon and Porto are fiercely unconventional and informal compared to their Spanish, French or Italian counterparts. And festivals dominate Portugal ’s calendar, so consider planning a solo jaunt around Lisbon’s Festa de Santo António or Porto’s Festa de São João, or find a smaller jazz or rock festival down the coast.

But at any time of year you can hit the bars to hear the mournful strains of fado music, and in Portugal you’ll never dance alone.

Surfing holidays for women | How surf school can change your life

Best for: culture

It used to be fashionable to dismiss Singapore as a sterile stopover city, but frankly, those travellers weren’t trying hard enough. 21st-century Singapore is a cultural and culinary melting pot, with world-class cultural institutions, space-age green spaces and a thrillingly diverse hotel and restaurant scene. What travellers invariably love most about Singapore are the dramatic contrasts; historic Hindu temples sit at the feet of soaring skyscrapers, world-class museums have rainforest as their back garden, and crumbling 19th century shophouses now house vintage boutiques and speakeasy-style cocktail dens. Thanks to a long history of migration, Singapore is one of Asia ’s most ethnically diverse, and racially integrated, cities, with significant Malay, Indian and Eurasian minorities alongside the 74% Chinese Singaporean majority. This enables travellers to explore countless colourful cultures and cuisines without leaving the island. And one major bonus: English is the principal spoken language, so there is zero language barriers, adding to the friendliness and security of an already welcoming and ultra-safe city destination.

Step into Hong Kong in Chinatown, where the smell of sweet cured pork intermingles with the smoke from the Hindu temples at neighbouring Little India , whose Tekka Market is one of the most vibrant and colourful (and frequently Instagrammed) sights on the island. Meanwhile, in Kampong Glam, the Arab quarter, Haji Lane is lined with independent boutiques, retro barbershops and - the ultimate badge of hipster pride - a Tokyobike store, positioning Singapore alongside Copenhagen , Berlin , Melbourne and Shoreditch . Singapore is a place where European influences comfortably rub up against Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions; no other destination so successfully celebrates the marriage between East and West.

Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It

January 4, 2024 by Janice Waugh

What is solo travel? After 15 years of traveling solo, I've concluded that it is two things. Solo travel can be done independently or on a group tour. Essentially, solo travel is when you leave behind everyone you know and embark on a trip. Independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the travel yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a tour or cruise alone. Both provide the unique experience of exploring the world without family and friends who have expectations of you. It's about discovering who you are when no one (that you know) is looking.

Traveling alone delivers access to the world in ways that other forms of travel don't. It is an essential mode of travel, at least some of the time.

However, not everyone takes to it naturally. Some worry about traveling solo. There are concerns around loneliness, safety, and more.

While we have hundreds of articles on the site that get into the details of how to travel solo, here, in one place, is the ultimate guide for those who want to travel alone. The tips in this post will help you have the best experience possible. They will help you travel alone and love it.

If you are traveling independently, read on.

If you plan to go on an organized tour, don't miss our page of tours with no or low single supplement . It's updated at least once a month and if you'd like to receive it via email you can sign up here .

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love Solo Travel

When you travel alone, you travel on your terms. You get to do what you want, when you want. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely. Those are the obvious benefits for going solo as a traveler.

But there are many benefits of solo travel that affect your whole life. The experience encourages you to stretch and grow as a person. You gain confidence and get better at problem solving. You understand yourself better, become more independent, and become a more interesting person.

For more, read Why Travel Solo? 15 Reasons Going Alone Makes Travel Better . Now, let's get on to the ultimate solo travel guide.

Your Guide for Planning to Travel Alone

Planning a solo trip takes a bit of time and thought. To cover everything, this would be an extremely long article. Instead, I'm pointing you to some of the basic planning posts on Solo Traveler. There over 600 posts on Solo Traveler. This just takes you to the ones that cover the fundamentals.

• Solo Travel Planning Guide with Trends, a Checklist, and Insider Tips
• Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe
• Carry-On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Best Accommodation for Solo Travelers
• A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers
• Eating Alone Is Easy When You Know How

Ultimate Tips to Travel Alone and Love It!

Let's get into the experience of traveling alone.

For some people, enjoying a solo trip comes naturally. Others have to work at how to travel alone. Most who do, fall in love with it. Here are a few things you can do to ensure a great solo adventure.

1. Visualize the trip you want. It's all about you.

Start thinking about the opportunities that are present when you travel alone long before you leave. Is it down time you really want? Build that into the plan. Are you after a creative travel experience ? Research the opportunities before you go and then dream on them until you get there.

2. Gather firsthand knowledge before you go. Personal stories tell you more.

Talk to people who have already traveled to your destination. Doing this was so incredibly helpful when planning my trip to Patagonia. At the time, no amount of research helped me plan the logistics. Talking to people who had made a similar trip gave me insight into the travel options and tips on how to avoid the mistakes they had made. Use your social network to find people. Join online meetup groups based in your destination. Find expat groups at your destination. By talking to people you will learn more about things to do as well as things that are not really for you.

3. Learn to chat with strangers.

Starting conversations with strangers can be a challenge, especially when you're an introvert like I am. However, these conversations can be trip-changing, if not life-changing. There are many skills that can be developed for this and one is never too old to learn them. In fact, it was only when traveling alone after my husband passed away that I learned how much I had grown and taken on the techniques of an extrovert. I learned that I could talk to strangers easily.

4. Tap the experience of the people you meet. Get current information.

As a solo traveler, you'll meet more travelers and locals than those who travel with a partner. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far or a local for the best hidden gem restaurant in the area. The people you meet and the advice they offer will greatly enrich your trip.

5. Be flexible with your plans. Opportunities arise!

When suggestions or opportunities arise from these chance encounters, be flexible enough to act on them. There are times when flexibility must reign and the schedule should be thrown away. I do this most often on road or rail trips.

6. Don't over-plan. You will absolutely need relaxing time.

Managing your travels yourself takes more energy than if you are with someone else. It is important to have extra time in your itinerary to wander a market leisurely, linger over a coffee at an outdoor café, or take that trip into the mountains you hadn't considered.

7. Be patient. Take time to settle in and learn how the city works.

It can be difficult arriving in a new city alone. Take your time. Take a day to relax, watch the city function, and settle in. Read Solo Travel Confidence: How to Be Strong, Capable, and Safe .

8. Explore your destination at different levels. Gain different perspectives.

In London, it's natural to take the Tube. However, riding on the top of a double-decker bus gives you another perspective on the city. But you still wouldn't want to miss the Tube as it's an experience unto itself. My point is, explore the city in as many ways as possible: on foot, by bicycle, via public transit. Take a taxi and talk to the driver. Rent a car and learn what it's like to park or drive on the opposite side of the road. Every mode of movement offers new perspectives.

9. Take in local events. Get to know the daily life of a culture.

Whether it's a street festival or a sporting event, these are opportunities to rub shoulders with locals, offering insight into the culture and, potentially, fun conversations. Events made for tourism will not be as successful for this as events created by and for locals.

10. Be proactive if you’re unsure of yourself.

Ask for help. Standing around looking dazed will not get you where you want to go and it may get you noticed by the wrong people. Go ahead, smile, and ask for help. It's one of the fundamentals of staying safe as you travel solo .

11. Eat locally! Discover the culture through food.

There is nothing like exploring the local cuisine. It gives you a new path into your destination's culture, history, and geography. There is always a reason, historical or geographic, for a specific cuisine that can be explored through your tastebuds and your mind.

12. Shop where the locals shop.

Are you into home renovations? Then a hardware store in another country could be quite interesting. Are you a foodie? Go to the grocery store or the street where all the specialty vendors are located. Are you into fashion or interior decorating? Again, explore (you don't have to buy) where the locals shop.

13. Know which way is up. An old-school map is your friend.

Study a map of your destination. Get to know it. Get a sense of direction using major landmarks like Central Park in New York City or the CN Tower in Toronto. This will help you explore cities happily, with greater confidence. Read How to Navigate a New City Solo .

13. Find people who share your passion.

Whether it's chess or poetry or badminton or books, there will be hubs or groups that share your passion at your destination. Many destinations have an English bookstore which is typically a great resource for events you will want to attend. Google search or find them on meetup.com. What a great way to combine your love of travel with your love of other things.

14. Take day tours and classes.

There are many benefits to punctuating your independent trip with local tours such as cooking classes . You have new ways to better experience your destination, enjoy some social time (after all, solo travelers are not necessarily loners), and you get to take a break and let the tour company run the logistics and planning of the experience.

15. Have great evenings out.

Just because you're traveling solo doesn't mean you have to stay in at night with a book. There are many options for things to do in the evening. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, music is a good bet. Read What to Do at Night When Traveling Alone and How to Enjoy Going to a Bar Alone When You Travel .

What If You Don't Love Solo Travel?

Let's face it, not everyone likes the same thing. Some people will travel alone and, for one reason or another, not enjoy it.

The first thing I suggest is that you be patient. You're not going to find your solo travel groove on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself some time to settle into your destination and apply some of the many travel alone tips above.

If, then, you're still not loving it, read  What If You Travel and You Don’t Love It ? and the advice of other solo travelers in Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Conquer First-Day Solo Travel Anxiety .

Round Out Your Guide to Solo Travel with These Resources

Here are a few posts to explore to help you plan your best solo trip.

• How to Save Money for Travel
• How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal
• Best Solo Travel Destinations: Real Solo Travelers Love These
• Feeling the Pinch? Solo Travelers Save Money at The Airport
• How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease
• Carry On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
• Checked Baggage: Top Planning and Packing Tips.
• Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations
• Road Trip Alone with Confidence: 10 Tips for a Great Trip

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Top 25 best places for a solo trip around the world

Read this article to find out the 25 best destinations for a solo trip, both in the USA and around the world. You'll probably add a lot of places to your bucket list!

Gabrielle Budget Travel With Gabby

Oct 25, 2023

Traveling alone is exhilarating and empowering. Whether you are solo  backpacking around the world, doing work exchanges in a few countries, or just taking a weekend trip away from your hometown , solo travel is incredible. 

Nothing pushes you out of your comfort zone quite like solo travel! You can learn so much about yourself and others when you explore the world by yourself .

So if you’re ready to travel alone, you may be wondering: “what are the best places for a solo trip?” This article will explore some of the best solo travel destinations.

Of course, everyone has their own preferences about where they like to travel. Maybe you want to venture to big cities and meet lots of people in a hostel . Or maybe you want to travel to remote destinations and get to know locals in a small village.

Only you can decide what type of solo trip you want. But this list is designed to inform and inspire you about some of the best solo travel destinations around the world!

• Also, take a look at these 12 best cool places to travel  and the  Top 10 best experiences around the world .

How to make friends traveling alone

The fear of not making any friends often discourages people from traveling alone, but it is actually super easy to make friends abroad! Just to boost your confidence, we’ll provide some advice for meeting people on the road.

The funny thing about solo travel is that you often aren’t alone ! If you put yourself in situations where you can easily meet people, you will probably make so many new friends that you won’t have to travel alone at all.

Traveling alone takes away the safety net of your friends and family that you already know. That vulnerability actually forces you to branch out and introduce yourself to new people. This may sound scary or intimidating, but you may find lots of other solo travelers who are feeling the same way you are .

Traveling alone may give you friends that you keep for life!

The best way to make friends while traveling alone is by doing a work exchange . You can live with locals and work in exchange for accommodation. Not only does this save you a lot of money, it also allows you to meet people!

Work exchanges can help you make friends with the locals and with the other volunteers. If you’re volunteering in a social environment, such as a hostel, an eco-project, an NGO, or a big farm, you can meet lots of other travelers. Even just volunteering in a local home will help you bond with the locals and become part of the family.

If you don’t have the time to do a work exchange, a great way to meet people while traveling alone is just by staying in a hostel. Hostels are very social , and they often have common rooms where travelers all mingle and hang out.

You can also book group tours while traveling. Hopefully, there will be some other cool travelers on your tour and you can make friends that way!

We will divide this article in two parts: the first one will discuss destinations in the USA while the second one will be about destinations around the world. When possible, we’ll list some Worldpackers work exchanges in case you want a more immersive cultural experience while you travel alone!

10 best places for a solo trip in the USA

Let's dive into the best solo travel destinations in the USA .

1. Tampa, FL

Tampa is a sunny city in western Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. There are so many things to do here for solo travelers, especially if you love being outside in the warm Florida weather.

Paddleboard down the Hillsborough River, bike down Bayshore Boulevard, stroll along the Riverwalk, or visit the white sands of Clearwater Beach. There are also some awesome museums and galleries for those who want to experience the culture and art.

2. Seattle, WA

Located in the Pacific Northwest , Seattle is a thriving city that is full of young professionals. It is a great place for solo travelers because it is very safe and well-developed. The city is known for its incredible cafe scene and music scene. Visit cafes, see live music, stroll through the markets, or even take a day trip out into the surrounding forests and mountains.

After you visit Seattle, you could do a work exchange on Anderson Island , a small island just 1.5 hours away from the city. Help out on a small farm and get to know the locals!

3. Boston, MA

The capital city of Massachusetts is known for being quite expensive, but it’s still a great place for a solo trip. 

Boston Logan International Airport services lots of flights worldwide, so it should be easy to find a cheap flight to Boston. They have an excellent public transport system as well, so you can get around easily as a solo traveler.  

History lovers will have a blast walking along the Freedom Trail or visiting one of the many historic landmarks in the city. Lounge in the Boston Commons, grab some food at Fanueil Hall, or see a Boston sports game!

4. Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii is another one of the best places to travel alone. The tropical island of Maui is full of such dramatic scenery, exotic flora and fauna, and picturesque beaches that it’s hard to believe it is part of the USA! 

Go surfing, visit national parks, watch the sunrise on the beach, eat tropical fruits , and just soak in the serenity of Hawaii.

There are a few amazing work exchanges in Maui that are perfect for solo travelers who want a cool experience out in nature. You can work on a honeybee ecotourism operation or volunteer in a local guesthouse .

5. Asheville, NC

Nature lovers will have the time of their lives in Asheville, North Carolina . 

Surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, you can go hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. Asheville is also a very lively and artistic city that is full of attractions for solo travelers.

Go see some live Bluegrass music or visit the historic Biltmore Estate. Go brewery hopping, as Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in the USA! Or explore downtown, visit a winery, or shop at the River Arts District.

6. San Diego, CA

One of the most visited cities in the USA is San Diego. This sunny, southern California city has so many fun attractions. As a solo traveler, there is so much to do here. Swim, surf , or walk along the many sandy beaches. Go hiking and kayaking , or hit up the numerous neighborhoods and browse the many places to eat, drink, and shop .

San Diego has some awesome work exchanges available. You can teach yoga at a local retreat or volunteer as a muralist and painter at a hostel by the beach.

7. Sedona, AZ

Sedona, Arizona is a charming desert town that is surrounded by dramatic rock formations, canyons, and forests. For solo travelers looking to explore the unique landscapes of America’s Southwest, Sedona is a great place to visit.

Aside from hiking, camping, and exploring the nearby highlights like the Grand Canyon or Red Rock State Park, Sedona itself is a lovely town. It is a safe and walkable town that has a thriving art community.

8. New Orleans, LA

Another one of the best solo trips in the US is New Orleans. Full of enticing jazz music, street art, historic buildings, and flavorful Creole cuisine , New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures. This gem of the US South is most famous for its annual Mardi Gras festival, though there is plenty to see and do outside the festival.

New Orleans, and particularly the French Quarter, is a great destination for solo travelers in the US. Head to the famous Bourbon Street to eat, drink, see live music, and party amongst other travelers!  

Also, check out some social Worldpackers work exchanges in New Orleans if you want to work in exchange for accommodation during your visit. 

9. Nashville, TN

The capital city of Tennessee, Nashville is a super fun and exciting place for solo travelers to visit. Downtown Nashville is very safe, and there are lots of fun things to do. Visit an art museum, have a picnic in Centennial Park, or hit up the honky tonk bars of downtown.

Music lovers will have an epic time in Nashville as there are numerous music venues and museums to check out. Be sure to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, Music Row, the Grand Ole Opry House, and the Bluebird Cafe.

10. Denver, CO

Another one of the best places for a solo trip in the USA is Denver. Many young people from all over the USA migrate to Denver for its vibrant community and spectacular natural beauty. Eat, drink, enjoy the nightlife, visit the museums, and spend some time hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains.

After you enjoy a solo trip to Denver, consider a remote and peaceful work exchange in Chaffee County . It’s 3 hours from Denver, and you can have a rewarding homestay experience. Or you can volunteer on a horse farm near Boulder, CO, which is 30 minutes away from Denver.

• Also, take a look at  Best solo vacations for females USA: destinations & tips .

15 best solo travel destinations around the world

Now that you know the best places for a solo trip in the USA, let’s discuss the entire world! There are so many incredible travel destinations on every continent, and you could have an amazing experience everywhere. Where you end up traveling will depend on where you are from, how far you want to go, and what type of trip you are looking for.

But here are some of the most popular solo travel destinations from around the world!

1. Sydney, Australia

The capital city of New South Wales in Australia is a fun place to travel alone. If you love the beach, Sydney is the city for you! Aside from the famous attractions in Sydney Harbor like the Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge , Sydney is lined with breathtaking beaches.

Fun activities for solo travelers include the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, kayaking in Manly Beach, or taking a day trip out to the Blue Mountains. Sydney is very safe, and the local Australians prioritize easy, stress-free living outside in the fresh air.

2. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is definitely one of the best solo travel destinations in the world. This charming city in northern Thailand is surrounded by lush jungles, and the city center is packed with glittering Buddhist temples, bustling street markets, and interesting shops. There is a huge backpacker community here as well, so you are bound to meet people if you’re traveling alone.

Volunteer at an eco-lodge near Chiang Mai and help with handy work, artwork, construction, gardening, cleaning, and more. You’ll make some amazing local friends and have a real, authentic Thai experience.

3. London, UK

One of the world’s most famous and cosmopolitan cities is London. The capital city of the United Kingdom is an excellent place for a solo trip. It is so easy to get around, as London has a sophisticated public transport system . There are also maps all over the city to help you find your way.

London has something to offer every type of traveler . There are museums, historic landmarks, art galleries, music venues, theatres, food markets, rooftop bars, classic pubs, and so many more things to do. There are lots of fun backpacker hostels and university bars where you can meet other travelers and young people.

4. Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is an awesome city to visit for solo travelers. It’s a relatively small city, so it could even be considered one of the best places for a solo weekend trip in Europe. The capital city of Hungary is affordable and full of history and culture.

Spend some time soaking in the local Hungarian bathhouses, eating local food at the Central Market, and marveling at all the history and architecture on display in the city. You can easily explore the city on food, and there are lots of awesome backpacker hostels if you want to make some friends.

5. Hanoi, Vietnam

One of the best places for a solo trip in Asia is Vietnam . This incredibly diverse country has so much culture, history, art, and natural beauty to offer travelers. 

Hanoi is one of the largest cities in Vietnam. It is super cheap to visit, and it’s a great gateway for going on treks, visiting local villages, and venturing out to attractions like Ha Long Bay.

A super rewarding work exchange experience to have in Hanoi is volunteering as an English teacher. There are 6 different volunteer opportunities in Hanoi where you can teach the local children and have a chance to give back to the community. 

6. Quito, Ecuador

Ecuador is a beautiful country for a solo trip. It is affordable and well-developed, and the people are so nice. Ecuador also uses the US dollar as its currency, so if you’re coming from the USA you don’t even need to exchange currency!

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador. Surrounded by the peaks of the Andes Mountains, Quito offers travelers the opportunity to experience Latin American culture and explore nature.  

You can spend hours wandering through the Centro Historico and shopping at the local markets , or even take day trips outside the city to go hiking in Cotopaxi National Park.

7. Stockholm, Sweden

The capital city of Sweden is another must-see for solo travelers in Europe! Stockholm is a gorgeous city made up of numerous small islands separated by canals. Going on a canal cruise or a walking tour is a great way to see the city. Also, be sure to check out the historic neighborhood of Gamla Stan and explore the Museum of Photographic Arts.

Stockholm is expensive, but it is super safe and the locals are all very welcoming. Most Swedish people speak English, so it is really easy to navigate your way around the city. Stay in a fun backpacker hostel to save money and meet people while visiting Stockholm!

8. Vancouver, Canada

Located on the west coast of British Columbia, Vancouver is one of the best Canadian cities to visit. Whether you want to hike, bike, shop, eat, drink, sightsee, or just explore somewhere new, Vancouver is safe, charming, and full of fun activities .

Check out the views from the Stanley Park Seawall, explore the boutiques, shops, and cafes of Gastown, Downtown, or Chinatown , or take a day trip out to Granville Island. Or check out the fascinating exhibits at the Vancouver Art Gallery or the Museum of Anthropology.

9. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

This small tourist town on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is an incredible place for a solo trip. Anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and surf culture of Central America will have a blast in Tamarindo! 

There are lots of backpackers here so you are bound to meet other travelers at one of the many hostels, cafes, and nightclubs.

Volunteer at a surf camp in Tamarindo if you want to learn how to surf and live in an eco-friendly environment. This surf camp hosts a large number of volunteers from all over the world, so this is a great way to make friends while traveling alone.

10. Cusco, Peru

Cusco is often referred to as the Gateway to Machu Picchu. This touristy city in southern Peru is where most travelers stay before heading to the famous Wonder of the World. But Cusco itself should be on every solo traveler’s bucket list!

Because Cusco is full of travelers, it has lots of hostels, nightclubs, and tour companies . It is super easy to meet people here, so it’s a great place to go if you’re traveling alone. 

Cusco is very safe as well, and you can explore the city center on foot. There are amazing hikes and day trips near Cusco as well in addition to Machu Picchu, such as Rainbow Mountain and the Sacred Valley.

11. Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital city of Iceland is an incredibly safe place for solo travelers. Iceland is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and high standard of living , so it’s a fantastic place to travel to as well. Reykjavik is kind of expensive, but there are lots of cheap flights to the city on various budget airlines.

Spend your time in Reykjavik eating unique local foods, admiring the architecture and street art, and taking day trips out into nature or to the Blue Lagoon. 

Save money in Reykjavik by volunteering at a local guesthouse ! 

12. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Mexico is another one of the best solo travel destinations. Mexico has a diverse and beautiful landscape, friendly locals, affordable costs, delicious food, fun music, and nightlife, and so much more.

Puerto Vallarta is a coastal town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. For solo travelers who love water sports and nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is a dream. 

If you want to have a social impact on the local community, you can try a work exchange with an NGO in Puerto Vallarta as well. 

13. Barcelona, Spain

The sunny and vibrant city of Barcelona is another one of the best places for a solo weekend trip in Europe. Full of colorful architecture, sandy beaches, interesting museums, and local food markets , Barcelona has something fun for everyone.

A unique way to experience this part of Spain is by volunteering at an animal shelter . If you love animals, this could be a really rewarding way to spend your time in Spain. This animal shelter is located just outside Barcelona, so you could head into the city on your days off.

Keep reading: Exploring Spain Solo: a guide to safe and enjoyable travel

14. Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria, which is an underrated European destination. Located in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria has a rich history, hearty local cuisine, and lots of natural beauty. Sofia is an amazing solo travel destination. 

Bulgaria doesn’t see too many tourists, so the locals are incredibly warm and welcoming to foreigners. English is common in the city center, and public transport is safe and easy.

Fun things to do in Sofia for solo travelers include admiring the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, wandering through the many parks and green spaces, shopping in the town center, visiting a relaxing tea house, or going on a free walking tour. Stay in a fun hostel and take part in group tours to meet other travelers during your trip!

15. Kyoto, Japan

Japan is a magical country that combines sleek modernity with ancient history and culture. The public transport is fast and efficient, and the locals are respectful and kind. 

Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and now it is a charming city that is great for solo travel. The city is peaceful and is packed with temples, shrines, museums, gardens, and lots of cool sights.

Kyoto is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Japan. For a more immersive cultural experience, you can volunteer with a non profit school in Kyoto . Help out at a community nursery and explore the city on your days off.

That concludes our list of the 25 best places for a solo trip! 

This is just a brief overview, as there are obviously so many more solo travel destinations worldwide that are amazing to visit.

Whenever you plan to travel alone, just make sure you do plenty of research before you head overseas! Research visas, languages, currency exchanges, travel insurance, and anything else you may need to know so you can stay safe during your trip.

A Worldpackers work exchange is an excellent way to stay safe while traveling alone. You can get to know the locals and have a greater insight into the local way of life. It’s also a great way to meet people so you have friends to explore with! So next time you want to travel alone, consider one of these destinations and consider a Worldpackers work exchange!

Did you like these ideas? Subscribe to the Worldpackers Community for free and start saving your favorite volunteer positions until you are ready to get verified. 

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Gabrielle Boucher

Budget Travel With Gabby

Hello! I am a 25 year old from the USA with a knack for traveling on a budget. I fell in love with traveling while studying in Europe, and that love grew even more when I started volunteering abroad in South America. Since then, I've worked odd jobs and volunteered all over the globe while cultivating passions for hiking, wildlife photography, food, wine, animals, permaculture, and more!

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Where to Travel Solo in 2024 (and What to Do Once You’re There)

by Elizabeth Gorga January 23, 2024

• While Abroad

Solo travel can be intimidating. After all, planning an overseas adventure with another person can be daunting enough when it comes to organizing flights, accommodation, visas, and travel routes.

It’s tough being stuck at home—let your dreams of future travel keep you motivated!

Handling all of the nitty gritty on your own makes the whole process a little extra overwhelming, and it holds so many wanderlusters back from traveling the world and exploring their dream destinations.

But do you know the hardest part of solo travel? It’s making the decision to go.

You won’t always have a travel buddy, but this should never hold you back from exploring the world. Even if you do, solo travel is a unique experience that everyone should have at least once.

So leave your partner at home, part ways with your friends for a while, and take a trip that is just for you . No matter your gender, nationality, age, or sexuality, there are plenty of beautiful, culturally-rich solo traveling destinations around the world where you’ll feel safe to explore on your own terms.

KEEP READING: 15 Best Solo Trips to Bookmark for Later

Why travel alone.

If the hardest part of solo travel is making the decision, just say yes and let the rest fall into place. Traveling alone is a totally different travel experience than you’ve had before, as you can make your own decisions and worry only about what you want to do.

It means finding your own rhythm. You are in control, both physically and financially, and your trip can be whatever you want it to be.

You’ll become more confident, assertive, decisive, adaptable, and independent—all the things that come with international travel, but to an even higher degree because you’re forced to figure it out on your own.

And while alone time might sound scary, there is no better way to get to know yourself and appreciate the company you keep.

11 best destinations to travel alone

Wondering where to travel solo? According to GoAbroad, here are the best countries for solo travel that will make every dream come true.

Can’t wait to get out there and start exploring again? Neither can we!

The USA’s northern neighbor is a mecca for solo travelers and one of the best countries to travel alone. Canada is perfect for outdoorsy travelers—from wild tundra to lush rainforest, rugged mountains to coastal beach towns.

The locals are friendly and laid back, and there is so much to explore, whether you want to gain a cultural experience in the cities or immerse yourself in nature. Depending on your nationality, it can be easy to get a work visa if you’re part of the Commonwealth, which means you’re bound to meet other solo travelers.

So if you’re lucky, maybe your short-term solo trip will turn into a year abroad, spending winters shredding down mountains and summers kayaking on crystal clear rivers.

• When? July through September for optimal weather
• Activities? Adventure travel , work abroad
• Try This Program: EA Ski and Snowboard Instructor training

First-time solo travelers who have always dreamed of a Eurotrip will find that England is one of the best solo travel destinations. The country is safe, modern, easy to navigate, and English-speaking, minimizing the culture shock that goes with exploring a new destination abroad.

Solo travelers can get the quintessential British experience in London, filled with red telephone booths, straight-faced guards at Buckingham Palace, and tea shops on every corner. Others may opt to venture outside of the capital city and soak in the culture of Cambridge and Bath, or explore the beautiful coastline in Cornwall.

• When? All year round
• Activities? Au pair , study abroad , intern abroad
• Try This Program: Intern in London with The Intern Group

3. Netherlands

The Netherlands’ super-chilled-out vibe and liberal lifestyle makes it one of the best solo travel destinations for every type of traveler, no matter your age, nationality, gender, or sexuality. Everyone is accepted here.

Amsterdam continues to make every list of the best destinations to travel alone because of how easy it is to hang out solo. You can rent a bike and explore canal-lined streets, sip lavender lattes in cozy cafes, gorge on mouthwatering stroopwafels at local markets, and meet friends in hostels to go out with and explore the epic nightlife.

• When? April to mid-October
• Activities? Study abroad , intern abroad , work abroad
• Try This Program: Europe Tour with Gapforce

Iceland? Yep—it’s worth the wait.

The mostly-frozen Nordic island of Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, so solo travelers can put their minds at ease. Iceland is small and intimate, the kind of place where everybody knows everybody, and the locals will help you out no matter where you want to go. 

Nature lovers will be in heaven with opportunities to explore black sand beaches, epic fjords, active volcanoes, and even sleep under the Northern Lights. While the country is on the more expensive side, Iceland continues to be one of the top solo traveling destinations because of how easy it is to get around as a tourist without worrying much about safety.

• When? July and August for warm weather and midnight sun; February, March, September, and October for views of the Northern Lights
• Activities? Volunteer abroad , adventure travel , study abroad
• Try This Program: Nature Tour with Worldaway Adventure Tours

5. Thailand

Southeast Asia is a major hub for backpackers, and Thailand is a top spot for every traveler’s SE Asia route. It’s cheap, easy to travel around, and there’s a little something for every traveler, making it one of the best solo travel destinations.

City lovers can get lost in the crazy streets of Bangkok, while others may opt to travel north to Chiang Mai to explore over 300 Buddhist temples. Perhaps you’ll choose to disappear into the foothills of Pai, a tiny hippy village where you can spend your days riding motorbikes through canyons or nestled into a bookstore with a hot cup of chai.

And of course, you won’t want to miss the islands in the south where you can snorkel over insane reefs and dance until sunrise on the beach under the full moon.

• When? December for optimal weather and tons of festivals
• Activities? Volunteer abroad , teach English abroad , adventure travel
• Try This Program: Volunteer with ELI Abroad

6. Nepal  

Nepal typically attracts travelers for picturesque climbs in the Everest and Annapurna regions. While these trails are definitely worth the visit, Nepal is much more than Himalayan mountains. 

The Nepali people welcome every type of traveler with open arms, hoping to make you feel at home and show you the best parts of their country. It’s one of the most religiously harmonious countries in the world, making it one of the safest destinations to travel alone.

You can visit Buddha’s birth place, practice yoga where it originated, or laze about with other solo travelers in the lakeside village of Pokhara. Not only is Nepal one of the best countries to travel alone, but it will pull on your heart strings and you’ll never want to leave.

• When? Mid-October to mid-November
• Activities? Volunteer abroad , adventure travel , teach English abroad
• Try This Program: Volunteer with IVHQ

7. Sri Lanka

Don’t forget to pack a journal for trips like these!

This tiny island south of India is another one of the top solo traveling destinations in Asia. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country, meaning locals are friendly and accepting of every type of traveler, no matter where you come from.

While Sri Lanka is often overlooked by solo travelers in Asia, it is starting to become a hot spot because of how easy it is to travel the country solo.

Whether you prefer to spend your time on white sand beaches, surfing in crystal blue waters, or immersed in the undeveloped hill country for adrenaline-pumping hikes and picturesque train rides, Sri Lanka’s natural beauty will not disappoint.

• When? December to March for west and south coasts, April to September for east and north coasts
• Activities? Adventure travel , volunteer abroad , teach English abroad
• Try This Program: Gap Year with Oyster Worldwide

8. New Zealand  

New Zealand features some of the most stunning, untouched natural scenery, from its snow-peaked mountains to turquoise lakes lined with purple lupins. Nature alone will make you feel at peace, but that’s not all these islands have to offer.

New Zealand draws solo travelers from around the globe with its working holiday program, allowing under 30s to spend a year working and traveling through the North and South islands. 

Rent a campervan and hit the road to visit Hobbiton in the north and glaciers in the south. Get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown, where you can ski, abseil, or bungy jump in canyons. And if you ever start to feel lonely, book yourself into a hostel dorm and you’ll be sure to leave with a road trip buddy.

• Activities? Work abroad , au pair , adventure travel
• Try This Program: Working Holiday Visa with BUNAC

9. Australia

Similar to New Zealand, Australia offers a working holiday visa that makes it easy to visit the Land Down Under and get a true cultural experience through working abroad. With a massive backpacker scene, Oz is one of the best solo travel destinations—especially if you have access to a car.

Road tripping is perfect to do alone, or with new mates you’re bound to meet in the many hostels along the coasts. Follow millions of backpackers on the east coast pilgrimage, making pit stops to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, surf in Byron Bay, wander Circular Quay, and visit beach towns on the Great Ocean Road.

While it is a more expensive destination, it’s easy to make your money back with the working holiday visa program.

• Activities? Work abroad , study abroad , au pair , intern abroad
• Try This Program: Intern in Melbourne with the Intern Group

There’s more to Peru than Machu Picchu.

Always dreamed of going to South America? Peru is one of the best destinations to travel alone in South America, with diverse cultures, climate, and a big backpacker scene.

Not only is it easy to meet new people, but you’ll also have access to tons of bucket-list-worthy spots, from the Inca Trail to the Amazon Rainforest. While its reputation for safety may not match that of New Zealand or Iceland, Peru is still a fairly safe destination in this part of the world.

Be sure to brush up on your Spanish before you go, and keep your wits about you, as you would with any international travel.

• When? December to February, especially on the coasts
• Activities? Language immersion , study abroad , volunteer abroad
• Try This Program: Learn Spanish with Cross-Cultural Solutions

11. Botswana

Certain parts of Africa may get a bad rap when considering where to travel solo, but Botswana is plenty safe and one of the best countries for solo travel in Africa. It screams adventure with some of the greatest wildlife on the planet.

Explore the Okavango Delta, where big cats roam freely, or cruise in a four-wheel-drive through the Kalahari Desert, the largest stretch of unbroken sand in the world.

The safari lodge system makes Botswana an ideal location for glamping, and the roads are better than anywhere in Africa, making it easy to get around and explore the country to the fullest. The best part: rather than hanging with other travelers, you’ll find yourself making friends with elephants instead. 

• When? May to September
• Activities? Adventure travel , work abroad , volunteer abroad
• Try This Program: Volunteer with Volunteer World

Ready to plan your 2024 adventure? Talk to our Online Advisor (for FREE) and get started!

Take time for yourself with these solo traveling destinations.

The open road is still out there and waiting for you.

Solo travel isn’t all puppies and rainbows, but it’s definitely a unique travel experience that will help you grow as a person and quench your soul’s deepest desires. Sure, it’ll be intimidating at first, but if you dive headfirst into the unknown, you won’t regret it.

Whether you’ve always dreamed of a legendary Eurotrip, living on the cheap in Southeast Asia, road tripping through gorgeous natural scenery, or immersing yourself in a completely new culture, you can have it all with solo travel.

There are incredible destinations to travel alone all over the world. So what are you waiting for?

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The Best Places in the World to Travel Solo

By Nicole Kliest

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There was a time in the not-so-distant past when the phrase “solo travel” was most likely to evoke imagery of Julia Roberts cycling wistfully down a grassy path in Ubud, or of Diane Lane dragging her suitcase toward a Tuscan villa. This cinematic (and perhaps a little idealistic) depiction of what it looks like to embark on a solo adventure has begun to fizzle out, and now, the notion of taking a trip with oneself isn’t gawked at, but rather, quite common.

There’s a certain sort of freedom that comes with travelling alone; the promise of complete autonomy, a flexible itinerary (or rigid, if that’s your bag), and the very real opportunity for a revelatory experience that simply isn’t on offer if you’re trekking around with a group. Perhaps you’re honouring a life milestone such as the loss of a loved one or a divorce – solo travel is great for healing. Or maybe it’s merely a desire to reconnect with yourself in a beautiful setting. Whatever the backstory, there’s a solo journey to meet you where you’re at.

A few considerations stand out when choosing a solo travel destination, beginning with whether you choose to curate your own itinerary or to let an agency do the work for you (there are pros and cons to both). Next, you’ll want to pick somewhere that offers a strong network of guides. “They are so key in imparting their expertise but also how to respectfully follow local custom,” Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant says. “This is part and parcel to being a conscientious traveller.” Also, an easy-to-use transportation system of trains, ferries, and buses is crucial, particularly if you’re not comfortable renting a car. And lastly, countries that are regarded as being welcoming are worth prioritising. “What unifies so many diverse cultures [that are] great for solo travel is they love to invite travellers into their world and their community and extended family,” Marchant says.

With this in mind, we rounded up some of the best places in the world to travel solo in 2024, including far-flung destinations rich in culture, sun-soaked locales fit for an outdoor excursion, and even a few retreats tailored specifically to parties of one.

Wellness treatments in Thailand

Escape to the Gulf of Thailand – and more specifically, to the lush island of Koh Samui. Characterised by its mountainous rainforest, hidden waterfalls, and pristine beaches, this destination is a feast for the senses. Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa  recently developed a women’s health programme for wellbeing throughout all stages of life, from fertility to menopause . Travellers making the long journey for this  Radiant Bliss package can expect a holistic plan that’s guided by a team of naturopaths, traditional Chinese medicine doctors, massage therapists, meditation mentors, among other experts. Spend your days alone savouring treatments like Ayurvedic massage and an acupressure facial with Edenesque scenery as your backdrop.

Distinct food culture in Japan

Well-known for its world-class cuisine, Japan is a haven for solo travellers looking to broaden their palates. “Especially in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s quite common for people to dine alone,” Indagare ’s Elizabeth Harvey says, who recently took a solo trip to the country. Beyond food culture, Japan is a country that’s known for its welcoming locals, which is crucial to a positive solo travel experience. “There’s a deep sense of mutual obligation and accountability that governs the captivating dance of daily life in Japan, which means solo travellers will feel safe and taken care of,” she says. And because the country is so easy to get around (public transportation is unparalleled), Harvey encourages adding lesser-known spots to your itinerary, such as “Hokkaido, Nara, Nikko, Kobe, Kanazawa, Yamaguchi, and the southern islands”.

Sound healing ceremonies in Mexico

By Alexandra Macon

By Leah Faye Cooper

By Jenny Berg

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a treasure trove of natural splendour and ancient history. The region is revered for its Mayan culture, which serves as the cornerstone of Chablé Yucatan ’s Solo Retreat. The four- to six-night programme takes travellers on a self-reflective journey with experiences like sound healing at a limestone cenote, a private Temazcal ceremony with a spiritual leader, and excursions to archeological ruins. The property is tucked away in the heart of the Yucatan jungle, about half an hour’s drive from Mérida, making it an ideal setting for those hoping to go off the grid sans the schlep.

Scenic train travel through Portugal

Efficient transportation helps ease potential anxieties when travelling alone, which is why Portugal– a relatively small and easy-to-navigate country – is well-suited for a solo adventure. “Portugal’s enviable train routes eliminate the need for a car,” Essentialist founder and CEO Joan Roca says, who suggests starting in Porto and training down to Lisbon before taking a ferry to Comporta for downtime on the beach. “Solo travel here is easy to do thanks to plenty of great dining options, city tours, and cultural discovery options.” The country’s primary rail provider is Combios de Portugal and the Douro Line (which runs from Porto to Pochino) is said to be the most picturesque, offering front-row views of the river and valley. (Book your train tickets via Omio : it aggregates all of your tickets in one place and is intuitive to use.)

Learning to surf in Costa Rica

Theming your solo adventure around learning a new skill is an easy way to cement a trip’s status as life-changing. If you’ve been eager to finally learn how to surf, head for some of the most prestigious waves in the world in Costa Rica – specifically, Peninsula Papagayo. The arresting beauty of this region is best savoured from the water, and guests at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo can learn how to ride waves through a surfing programme developed exclusively for the property through SurfX, which is taught by some of the world’s top-ranked surfers. Cap off your days with the hotel’s “wipeout massage”, designed specifically for post-surf aches.

Spiritual introspection in Bhutan

A common intention for planning a solo journey is the desire to turn inward. Of course, the environment plays a defining role in the trip’s potential to be transformative. “Although a harder-to-reach destination, Bhutan is widely recognised as a happy, peaceful place to retreat to on your own,” Roca says. It’s also breathtaking. Bhutan is more than 70 per cent forested and is the first carbon-negative country in the world, making hikes and wildlife spotting a part of daily life. “Travellers looking to spend time not only discovering a destination but keen to understand themselves more and search within benefit from spending time in Bhutan,” Marchant says.

Island hopping in the Philippines

The tropical archipelago of the Philippines comprises over 7,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. For solo travellers, an itinerary of island hopping is a breeze thanks to a network of ferries and flights that strategically connect the country. “The Philippines are safe, friendly, and it’s easy to find English speakers,” Roca says. Explore underwater caves, snorkel in turquoise-tinted reefs, hike 2,000-year-old rice terraces, hike an active volcano – if it’s not already obvious, outdoor adventure hits its stride here. And the food! The cuisine is a true cultural expression with dishes like Lumpia, Adobo, and Kare-Kare served up in convivial settings.

Biking through Argentina wine country

Combine your love of travel and cycling with a Backroads trip through Mendoza wine country (solo travellers welcome). This region is tucked along the foothills of the soaring Andes mountain range and offers some of the most exciting wines being produced right now. Pedal along vineyard-lined trails between snowy peaks stopping along the way to discover flavours from the area’s vibrant gastronomy scene. Each night, enjoy a well-earned luxurious sleep in each of the hand-selected premiere hotels, like the iconic Vines Resort & Spa .

Community building in Morocco

Morocco is a landscape where culture runs deep and community is strong. The diverse country is easy to navigate, from remote areas to bustling medinas. “One day you could be in the Agafay desert hiking your way to a Berber village and the next you could be kitesurfing and taking lessons with locals in Essaouira with that famed Atlantic breeze. What’s key is the community feel,” Marchant says, who recently hosted a company retreat in the country. "We spent a day volunteering in the Atlas Mountains supporting a charity called Al Foulki pour les Femmes, who help in recovery efforts from the earthquake in remote communities,” he says, pointing to these types of experiences as being suited to solo travellers who wish to connect to a destination’s culture.

Ancient wisdom in Greece

Greece’s islands lure in travellers for the sun-baked landscapes and turquoise waters, but if you’re not up for long ferry rides and droves of tourists, head for the Peloponnese peninsula instead. This lesser-known region is abundant in natural beauty and home to Euphoria Retreat, a luxury wellness resort that’s located within the Unesco World Heritage site of Mystras. Solo travellers who are looking to work through a recent trauma or transition to a new stage of life can take part in the Inner Emotional Harmony  programme. Expect everything from sound healing and chakra balancing treatments to massages and transformation consultations.

Scuba diving in the Bahamas

Coveted for its pink sand beaches and picturesque seaside villages, Harbour Island is a tranquil enclave in the Bahamas where roosters roam freely and pigs splash around on the shore. Solo travellers can enjoy the island's renowned beauty with a stay at Bahama House , a property under the Eleven umbrella (a luxury adventure company). The team will curate a custom itinerary of adventures by the sea, including scuba diving. Beginners can take a PADI instructional resort course and learn to dive in just one day.

White water rafting in Canada

Journey to Canada’s remarkable landscapes with Flash Pack, an agency that focuses on group tours for solo travellers. This journey to western Canada takes you to some of the most magnificent corners of the country, like Banff National Park, where you’ll go hiking and caving, and Canadian Rockies’s highlights such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. There’s a twilight canoe outing on Bow River for a quintessential Canadian moment, white water rafting that ends with a night in Anishinaabe-style tepees, excursions on float planes, and even a day of wine tasting in the Okanagan valley.

Adventure lodges in New Zealand

Otherworldly landscapes mixed with laidback locals make New Zealand a magnetic choice for solo travellers in search of a life-changing journey. “The country has some of the world’s most memorable adventure lodges,” Harvey says, adding that they offer “a nice balance between spending time on your own and forging connections with your fellow guests and the lodge staff”. If you’re keen to experience the South Island’s renowned adventure scene, consider a stay at Blanket Bay , a lodge tucked on the shores of the remote Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown where jet boat safaris, backcountry hiking, and horseback riding are everyday affairs.

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22 Solo Travel Tips: How To Travel The World Alone

22 solo travel tips for anyone who is looking for advice about traveling the world alone!

Traveling the world alone is intimidating, but also intriguing.

Many people dream of traveling alone, but are too nervous to actually do it.

What is it that holds us back?

Is it the TRAVELING part? Being in a foreign land, not speaking the language, and finding your way around a strange, unfamiliar place can be scary.

Or is it the ALONE part? Doing all of the above, but without anyone you know to help you is also scary.

There are lots of terrifying things about traveling alone. But once you actually get out there and do it, the things that scare you start to empower you.

With a bit of courage, determination, and common sense, anyone can travel alone.

Getting on a plane, asking locals for directions, deciphering new languages, and navigating through foreign countries are all part of the excitement.

Dealing with all that by yourself will give you confidence, self-awareness, and life experience that you could never find in your hometown.

And the best thing about solo travel is that you’re rarely actually alone.

You can be completely alone if you want. But meeting people and making new friends is actually so much easier when you travel alone.

You won’t be stuck in your comfort zone. Traveling with friends or family is incredible, but it does give you a safety net.

Taking away the safety net allows you to branch out. It actually kind of forces you to branch out because if you do want some company on your adventures, you have to put yourself out there and find it.

But that’s the beauty of traveling alone, and just traveling in general.

There are so many beautiful, unique, and interesting people on this planet. Traveling grants you the privilege of meeting some of them.

So if you’re ready to take a risk, expand your horizons, and travel around the world alone, here are some of my favorite solo travel tips.

Also check out my ultimate guide to traveling on a budget: 50 BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS

22 Solo Travel Tips

These solo travel tips will cover everything that I’ve learned while traveling, from safety, to accommodation, to other useful tips.

I will emphasize ways to meet people while traveling, even though this is an article about solo travel.

I honestly think the best part of traveling solo is meeting new people. However, some people may want to travel solo purely for the purpose of being alone, and that’s fine too!

I have had some amazing solo trips where I was 100% alone and didn’t make any friends.

Being alone is amazing sometimes, but the solo trips where I made friends are definitely more memorable so I recommend trying to be social and meet people.

Solo Travel Tips: Accommodation

1. stay in hostels.

Hostels are a solo traveler’s dream. They are also a budget traveler’s dream!

For those who don’t know, hostels are a form of low-cost accommodation. They usually have dorm rooms and shared facilities.

There used to be lots of bad stereotypes around hostels, like the beds are dingy and dirty or people steal your things.

Nowadays, most hostels are super clean, modern, and fun. I’ve probably stayed in over 50 hostels and I’ve loved almost every single one.

Hostels create a social environment where meeting new friends is a piece of cake.

Most hostels have a common area with couches, games, books, and more. Hang out here to meet people to do day trips with or explore the city with. You’ll find that most hostel guests are young, open-minded solo travelers just like you.

2. Stay in a Dorm Room

If you’re convinced that a hostel is a fun idea, consider staying in a dorm room.

Most hostels have private rooms available, and you can still meet people in the common areas.

But for the real social experience, sleep in a dorm room with a random mix of people. That can sound unsettling, but it’s a great way to make friends.

Most hostels also have lockers for each bed so you can lock up your bags to avoid theft. However, I’ve never had anything stolen from me in a hostel.

If I walk into a dorm room and see other travelers’ bags left out in the open, I feel comfortable doing the same. If they trust me, I trust them.

Dorm beds are also super cheap! Most range between 5-25 USD per night.

3. Take Advantage of Hostel Events and Tours

The best thing about hostels is all the events they host. From pub crawls, to day trips, to dinner parties, and more, hostels often have fun activities for guests.

So if you’re not confident enough to just walk up to someone in the common room and start a conversation, these communal events are a great way to meet people.

Ok, that’s my last note about hostels. Moving on!

4. Do a Work Exchange

This is easily one of my favorite solo travel tips: do a work exchange.

This is when you work in exchange for accommodation. You get to live with locals, immerse yourself in the culture, and gain work experience.

It’s a super interesting and fulfilling way to travel, and there are lots of different types of work exchanges to choose from.

I’ve written a super detailed article about work exchanges for those who are really considering it! This article will list all the best websites to use and cover the logistics of planning a work exchange.

But in terms of solo travel tips, I’d recommend these types of work exchanges:

• Work in a hostel for a very social and fun experience
• Volunteer with a local family to learn about the culture and language
• Work at an eco-lodge or a permaculture farm to get in touch with nature
• Work with a local business to learn new skills or practice existing skills

Visit Worldpackers to browse work exchanges, and use my promo code GABBY to save 10 USD on your membership!

5. Read Online Reviews

No matter where you are planning on staying, one of the most useful solo travel tips is to read reviews!

For hostels, work exchanges, hotels, or anything, always read the reviews in depth.

This will give you an idea of what to expect, which can calm some of the nerves of solo travel.

Some hostels have thousands and thousands of positive reviews. So it’s safe to say you’ll probably have a good experience there.

Especially for work exchanges, the ones with the most good reviews are the safest. Every host on a work exchange platform is vetted for security so it’s pretty safe.

But I always had a better experience at the ones with lots of good reviews rather than the ones with just a handful of reviews.

6. Ask all the Questions

Similar to the last point, asking questions helps ease your mind about what to expect when staying somewhere.

If it’s a hostel or hotel, the staff are always willing to help you with any questions you may have. Email them in advance to ask about anything.

If it’s a work exchange, you can chat directly with the hosts on the work exchange websites to ask questions.

Don’t be shy, or too scared to ask a question you think is stupid!

I always ask SO many questions before I go somewhere. On websites like Worldpackers , you can even message past travelers to ask them about their work exchange experience!

7. Share your Accommodation Details

Whenever you’ve booked somewhere to stay or volunteer, share the details with friends and family back home.

First of all, it gives your parents comfort knowing exactly where you are staying.

Second, it gives them the info they need to reach you if something happens to your phone or internet.

I’ve never had anything too bad happen to me abroad (knock on wood). But it can’t hurt to share all your trip details with loved ones just in case it’s needed.

Solo Travel Tips: Safety

8. find a buddy to explore with.

It may be contradictory to have “explore with a friend” on a list of solo travel tips. But, here it is.

Exploring and doing things alone while traveling is great. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. It can be peaceful and fulfilling.

But exploring with someone has its perks as well. You have someone to help you figure out public transport and foreign languages. Getting lost with someone is a little less scary than getting lost alone.

As a solo traveler, it’s easy to find an exploring buddy in your hostel. Just strike up a conversation and discuss your plans.

Not only is it fun to explore with a friend, even if you just met them, but it can be safer. It’s easier for pickpockets and scammers to target one traveler rather than two or more.

And if you’re a solo female traveler, an extra person always adds a sense of security.

9. Don’t Explore Alone at Night

Considering everything I said in the last point, finding a buddy to explore with is extra important at night.

Whether you’re out partying and drinking, or you’re just enjoying the vibe of a new city at night, avoid exploring alone.

Honestly, this is a tip that people probably keep in mind even in their home cities.

But when you’re traveling and you’re unfamiliar with the area and you potentially look like a tourist, you’re more at risk.

So always stick with a group for safety when enjoying the nightlife. Especially as a solo female traveler!

10. Try to Blend In

If you stick out as a tourist, you become more of a target for pickpockets and scams, or worse. (I seriously don’t want to scare people because if you’re smart, chances are nothing bad will happen while traveling! But I can’t deny that crazy shit does happen, so just be aware.)

A good way to avoid unfortunate circumstances is to try and blend in with the locals.

Wear similar attire. Avoid flashy, loud, vibrant clothes.

Definitely leave any fancy jewelry or expensive accessories at home. If you look like you have money, you’re basically asking to be pickpocketed.

Sometimes you can’t help looking like a tourist if your natural features are very different from the locals. But still dress and act appropriately so you don’t stand out too much.

11. Only Pack Essentials

While traveling, the only real valuables you should take with you are things such as:

• credit/debit card
• passport/ID
• Gopro, drone, other filming equipment (if necessary)
• laptop (if necessary)

Anything else expensive should honestly be left at home. Again, not to scare people, but you should always be prepared for the worst.

Whether your luggage gets lost, stolen, or ruined in a random natural disaster, there is a chance you could lose what you pack.

Only pack the essentials , and try to pack stuff you don’t mind losing.

12. Lock Up Your Valuables

As for the important things you do pack, always keep them locked up and safe.

Most hostels have a locker to store your valuables. If they don’t, ask to have your things locked up in reception while you’re out exploring.

And while you’re out exploring, only bring what you need.

For example, don’t take your passport out on the town with you. It’s much safer locked away in your luggage at your accommodation than it is roaming around the city.

This also applies to cash. If you withdraw a bunch of foreign currency, only carry what you need for the day on your person. Keep most of it stored safely in your luggage.

Also consider getting luggage locks so you can lock the actual opening of your bags, adding extra security.

13. Be Wary of Strangers Who Approach You

Yes, you should be wary of all strangers all the time. But the only way to make friends while traveling is to talk to strangers, so I’m going to be more specific here.

I’ve found that in general, people are genuinely kind all over the world.

If you ask random people for help or directions, they are almost always happy to help.

It’s the strangers who approach you first that you want to be hesitant with. Some of them may have some ulterior motive, some may not.

I have personally experienced both. I was approached by a local in Fes, Morocco who ended up scamming my boyfriend and me (Happy I wasn’t traveling alone for that one).

But I’ve also been approached by lots of other locals around the world who were perfectly nice.

Just use your instincts and don’t be too quick to give out any information about yourself to a stranger who approaches you.

14. Drink Responsibly

This is another one of those solo travel tips that applies to life in general. But it’s especially important when you’re traveling alone.

Drinking alcohol is a fun part of experiencing any new culture.

Just don’t go overboard with it! Getting blind drunk abroad can put you in risky, even dangerous situations.

If you’re a solo traveler, you may not have a good group of friends looking out for you.

Even if you made friends on your trip, you can’t necessarily trust them to take care of you when you’re hammered.

Drink, indulge, have fun, but keep it classy. Make sure you are able to keep yourself safe on a night out.

15. Get Travel Insurance

I won’t go into too much detail on this point because I’ve written a very detailed article about this.

But one of the best solo travel tips is getting travel insurance.

From cancelled or delayed flights, to lost baggage, to tropical illnesses, to natural disasters, to injuries and more, there is lots of stuff that can go wrong while traveling. (Again, don’t be scared! This stuff is pretty rare.)

Having travel insurance won’t prevent these things from happening, but it will most likely cover any expenses you rack up.

It can put your mind at ease and help you feel safer while gallivanting around the globe.

I personally use Squaremouth Insurance to find the best, most affordable travel insurance plans.

 Solo Travel Tips: General Advice

16. learn the language.

Learning the local language is always a good idea. Even if it’s just a few words!

Making an effort to adapt to the local culture instead of expecting everyone to speak English is admirable.

Locals will always appreciate a tourist who tries to communicate in their language.

And as a solo traveler, any chance you can get to appear respectful and mature is one you should take.

Learning a new language is hard, and it can’t be done overnight. But try to at least learn the basics like “thank you”, “hello”, etc.

Use an app like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone , or buy a compact dictionary in the local language.

17. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

If you’re lost, confused, or just generally need help, don’t be afraid to ask someone.

Gaining the confidence to approach people for help is a huge benefit of traveling alone.

I used to be really shy, and traveling alone has forced me to get out there and make things happen on my own.

It’s truly a huge confidence booster. And asking for help or directions usually solves problems quicker than if you tried to struggle through the problem yourself.

Just use your instincts on who to ask for help so you don’t feel unsafe. I often ask cafe or store staff for help when I’m traveling as they are less likely to do something sketchy.

18. Try New Things

Having new experiences is the whole point of traveling. One of the best solo travel tips is to always have an open mind and try new things.

If you’re alone, you won’t have someone to peer pressure you into trying new things. You need the guts to do it yourself!

Whether it’s eating new foods, talking to new people, trying a new sport, speaking a new language, practicing a new religion, or trying new customs, just go for it.

19. Put Down Your Phone

Smartphones make life so much easier, and they really come in handy when traveling alone.

Use it for navigation or taking photos or keeping in touch with loved ones.

But try to avoid mindlessly scrolling through the same apps you use at home. There is plenty of time for scrolling Instagram when you get back from your trip.

Instead, go for a walk. Hang out in the common room with other travelers and play games. Start a conversation with someone. Write in a journal or read a book from the local bookstore.

Try to live in the moment and focus on what’s around you. This is how you’ll gain the best experiences while traveling alone.

20. Do Your Research

One of the best solo travel tips is doing some research before you leave for a new country.

Having a general idea of what to expect can help you feel less stressed or anxious before a trip.

Check the local weather. Look up some phrases in the local language and write them down.

Read about the local history, religion, and customs. Write down all the addresses and phone numbers you may need.

Download any maps you may need. Make a list of all the attractions you want to see.

A little bit of pre-trip research is a great way to ease the nerves and help you feel more prepared for a solo trip.

21. Trust Your Gut

I’ve mentioned “trusting your instincts” a few times on this list of solo travel tips.

When it comes to exploring the world alone, trusting your gut is very important.

As I said earlier, most people are honestly kind in my experience. But there are a few sketchy ones out there.

Be nice to people, but don’t be too trusting if you’re traveling alone.

Seriously just trust your gut. If something feels odd, get yourself to a safe place like a store, restaurant, hotel, or any other public place with people who can help you.

Common sense and general intuition are generally enough to keep you safe while traveling alone. And if you’re really nervous, stick with a group from the hostel!

22. Have a Positive Attitude

Most importantly, stay positive!

Yes, bad things can happen while traveling alone. But bad things can happen anywhere, anytime, no matter who you’re with.

Dwelling on the possibility of catastrophe is no way to live.

Be prepared and be smart, but try not to let nerves and anxiety ruin your trip.

Enjoy yourself and stay positive. The first solo trip is always the hardest. Once you take that leap of faith and start traveling, it gets easier and easier to stay positive all the time.

Traveling is truly a privilege, so cherish every moment of it!

☼ ☼ ☼ 

Thanks for reading my list of solo travel tips!

I don’t want to sound too preachy or anything. Everyone has a different travel style and personality.

If the thought of traveling alone brings you too much anxiety, don’t do it. Traveling with friends or family is still incredible!

But for some people, traveling alone can be so rewarding. Setting out into the world by yourself is a liberating feeling.

Traveling alone promotes growth and independence. It also allows you to visit any crazy places you’ve always dreamed of visiting, without needing approval from anyone else.

If you’re looking for more advice on traveling alone, or you have any questions about these solo travel tips, feel free to comment on this post 🙂

For more solo travel tips and budget travel tips, check out these articles:

How To Save Money For Travel

Moving Abroad In 14 Steps

15 Travel Essentials to Always Add to Your Packing List

Budget Traveler’s Guide to Travel Insurance

The Ultimate Guide to Work Exchange: The Cheapest Way To Travel

How to Afford Traveling the World in Your 20s

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in my About Me page!

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20 expert solo travel tips for women from the Lonely Planet team

Nov 17, 2023 • 10 min read

Solo travel is one of the most exciting and liberating experiences you can have © Deepa Lakshmin / Lonely Planet

If you’re eager to see the world, why hold out for the ideal travel companion? Solo journeys create indelible memories.

Yet while voyaging by yourself can exhilarate, it can also be dauting– especially for female travelers. That’s why we asked a few travel-expert colleagues here at Lonely Planet for ideas that any woman setting out alone should keep in mind.

Here are 20 tips to keep you safe, grounded and ready to set out for the trip of a lifetime. All by yourself.

1. Seek out female hosts (ideally with pets)

If I’m booking accommodation online, I tend to opt for women owners (preferably with pets in their host photos!). This is partly psychological – but I’ve also found that women tend to think about things like where to go to avoid crowds or safer alternatives to more touristy places. It’s nice how protective women are of each other, especially when we’re traveling alone.

– Akanksha Singh , Destination Editor 

2. Ease into it 

It can be tempting to throw yourself outside of your comfort zone all at once, but doing things alone – solo traveling, or even just going out to dinner or the movies by yourself – can feel intimidating at first. But it’s a muscle you build up over time. Start with a day trip or an afternoon wandering a museum you’ve always wanted to see but didn’t know who to go with. When I backpacked through Australia and New Zealand , I tacked on extra days at the end of group tours so I had solo time to explore (and decompress!) after nonstop socializing and being “on.” I’d already acclimated to the new-to-me destination while traveling with the group, which meant I had more confidence and knowledge to navigate the streets on my own.

– Deepa Lakshmin , Social Media Director

3. Consider hostels for connecting with like-minded people of all ages

Hostels are a great way to meet people, especially fellow solo female travelers. I truly believe you’re never too old for hostels. Many cater to people of various age groups and backgrounds, and offer private rooms for added comfort and privacy. I find it’s easier to meet like-minded people in communal settings – the kind of people who are eager to exchange travel tips and stories with you and who genuinely want you to have a good time. I’ve made lifelong connections with people I’ve met in hostels. 

– Sasha Brady , Digital Editor 

4. Start with a solo afternoon

I’m not quite 100% to the point where I’m ready to dive into solo travel, so I like to just carve out a day or an afternoon of Rachy Adventures when I’m traveling with friends or my wife. (Said adventure often involves a croissant and an overpriced latte.) Some of my absolute favorite parts of a trip have been a rainy afternoon spent wandering alone in Boston , or sitting alone with a good book on a largely empty beach, taking in the waves.

– Rachel Lewis, Senior Social Media Manager 

5. Book some group activities

If you’re feeling apprehensive about taking a big solo trip, arrange a tour or activity for each day. This way your days will be organized around a preplanned group event. I made connections from all over the world on a solo trip to Australia in my early 20s – and 20 years on, am still in regular touch with a Swedish woman I met on a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef .

– Fionnuala McCarthy , Editorial Director

6. Hop on a boat or a bus

I get my bearings by taking either a hop-on, hop-off bus tour or a boat tour. On my first solo trip to Paris , I decided to take a cruise down the Seine – during which I wrote out my plans for the trip and got to know people by offering to snap their photograph. I also find spending time in local bookstores to be a great way to immerse myself in the destination as well as meet fellow travelers and locals who seem very happy to help and offer tips and advice. 

– Brekke Fletcher , Senior Director of Content

7. Bring a book 

I’ve cycled and hiked and taken trains all over the world by myself, and I never did any of it without a book on hand. Waiting on delayed trains, sitting down to meals, relaxing in a bar at the end of the day: all of these situations are improved with a book. Reading can also be a useful way to put off any potential unwanted conversation. A woman on her own can be a magnet for chatterers, and I’m not always in the mood to talk to strangers when traveling.

– Amy Lynch , Destination Editor

8. Indulge your hobbies

Look for activities related to what you already like to do at home. For example, I love to thrift-shop, so I’ll often look up secondhand or charity shops in foreign cities: it’s a great way to get a sense for local fashions and find unique souvenirs. I also love to embroider, and I’ve spent hours at textile galleries, oohing over fine needlework and learning about local fiber-art traditions. I couldn’t do that with a bored travel companion.

– Morgan Wegner, Senior Operations Editor

9. Embrace “yes!” – within reason

One of the best things about solo travel is the freedom to make or break plans whenever you want. Some of my favorite travel memories (including meeting my husband!) are because I took a chance and made a plan with new friends over an impromptu drink or meal. Celebrate saying “yes” to things you wouldn’t normally do – but trust the voice in your head at the same time. If the hair on the back of your neck stands up at a turn Google is telling you to make, take a different route. Learn to expand your boundaries – while trusting your intuition.

– Erin Lenczycki, Photo Editor

10. Be present

Traveling by yourself is a great opportunity to be mindful. With no need to rush or please anyone else, I find myself doing a lot of thinking and reflecting while traveling alone. I try to limit my interaction with my phone as well to really enjoy the quiet. I find some of my most vivid traveling memories have come from these trips.

– AnneMarie McCarthy , Destination Editor

11. Plan rest days

For every seven to 10 days of travel, set aside a day to breathe. Sleep in, treat yourself to a nice meal or just give your legs a break. If you can resist the pressure to program every moment of your trip, you won’t feel like you’re “wasting” your time. This is especially true when you’re traveling solo and not on anyone else’s schedule. 

– Ann Douglas Lott , Associate Editor

12. Use apps to your advantage (and with headphones)

When navigating a new city on foot, plug your destination into a maps app, then listen to the walking directions through headphones. This allows you to avoid pulling out a map – which is equivalent to waving a flag printed with “tourist!” Most importantly, when you’re making your plans, try to resist fear (which is used to manufacture headlines and generate clicks). Language and cultural barriers can raise discomfort, which will make you hyper-aware of your surroundings. But that doesn’t mean said surroundings are unsafe. 

– Jessica Lockhart, Destination Editor

13. Go on a food tour

One thing that makes a lot of solo travelers apprehensive is the thought of dining alone. But if you join a food tour, you’ll have dining companions for the evening and the opportunity to try out a bunch of new restaurants ⁠— all while learning about the local culture. I joined a food tour of Trastevere while traveling solo in Rome : not only did I get to meet fellow travelers, but the tour included a mix of casual street-food spots (excellent for solo travelers) and restaurants. After you check these places out in a group, you may feel more relaxed coming back on your own for a solo-dining experience.

– Alex Butler , Managing Editor 

14. Travel with a power bank

Traveling alone, you will most likely be using your phone more than usual to take photos and videos, and for navigating maps. Even if your phone has a reliable battery, it’s always good to know you have a backup, especially if you’re on your own. There are plenty of small and lightweight power banks that you can purchase to slot into your bag when on the road.

– Zara Sekhavati, Destination Editor

15. Share your location 

To ensure peace of mind, I make it a habit to inform at least one person back home of my whereabouts using the Find My Friend app , which allows them to track my location in real time. While it can be reassuring for safety reasons, what I appreciate the most about it is the tangible sense of connection it provides. My family, in particular, loves that they can place me on a map and accompany me virtually on my explorations.

– Sasha Brady

16. Traveling solo doesn’t mean traveling alone

For me, traveling solo can be a great way to meet new, like-minded people. Join a tour group like G Adventures or Intrepid for an entire trip, book a day tour with GetYourGuide , find a class for something you’re passionate about like art or cooking, research some of the digital-nomad meetups, find a bar where they show the games of your favorite team…there are lots of ways to forge new friendships on the road. 

– Melissa Yeager , Senior Editor 

17. Don’t wait for a partner

I’ve traveled solo to places like Hawaii , the Amalfi Coast and the Dominican Republic . When I tell these stories, someone will occasionally say something to me like, “Oh, I want to go there on my honeymoon, so I’m waiting to take that trip.” My advice? Don’t wait. If you want to somewhere, even a place with a reputation as a “romantic” destination or a honeymoon getaway, go anyway. There are so many ways to enjoy a destination and to make your own memories, with or without another person. If resorts or entire destinations cater specifically to couples, you will see a different – and sometimes more interesting – side of it by going solo.   

– Laura Motta , Senior Director of Content

18. Don’t overshare

The temptation to share your entire trip via social media can be overwhelming – especially if you’re having a fantastic time. But for safety concerns, it’s best to avoid sharing every movement with every follower until you return home. Not only do real-time posts alert people to where you are during every part of your trip, but they also let folks know you’re not home. Consider sharing your photos and videos from the road just with a close number of friends, or wait until your trip is over to flood your social media. 

– Alicia Johnson , Destination Editor

19. Role-play at restaurants

Dining alone can be the best kind of mini-adventure. You can chat with the bartender – often a wealth of local knowledge – or other patrons. You can play at being an international woman of mystery and hunker down with a book or a notebook and pen. And if you’ve had a long day of sightseeing, sometimes it feels good to just sit at a quiet table and fiddle with your phone. The best part? Solo diners can often glide right to the front of the line at popular and award-winning restaurants, even without a reservation. 

– Laura Motta

20. Feel your feelings – and cry when you need to

Especially if you’re traveling alone for the first time. Especially if you’re far away from everything you’ve ever known. Especially if you feel confused or lonely or out of place. I’ve shed tears in more airports than I care to admit. You’re outside your comfort zone, and that’s scary! It’s normal to feel homesick and miss the people, places and routines that feel familiar to you. But you probably embarked on a solo adventure because some part of you craves something new – and any change requires getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, at least for a little bit. It’s OK to go through it.

– Deepa Lakshmin

This article was first published May 2019 and updated November 2023

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6 Forms of Solo Travel To Explore The World and Not Feel Alone

Solo travel can be both rewarding and adventurous, pushing you out of your comfort zone to explore new places and cultures. While some find it scary to embark on a solo trip, many travelers quickly discover the benefits of being alone. Others need an easy way or opportunity to strike up conversations with fellow travelers and locals.

Exploring the World Solo and Not Feeling Alone

Traveling alone can be incredibly fulfilling and empowering since solo travelers must adapt to new cultures, navigate unfamiliar environments, plan itineraries, and manage their budgets independently. But solo trips can be lonely at times. 

Many solo travelers agree this experience is a fantastic way to meet people since they are exposed to people from all around the world. Still, it does not come easy for everyone, especially if they are embarking on their first solo journey.

A study published by Solo Traveler World reveals that more than half the solo travelers surveyed actively look for new friends while traveling. Here are six forms of solo travel that will make it easier to combat loneliness while traveling the world.

1. Wellness Retreats

Wellness retreats are spaces dedicated to meditation, fitness, wellness, spirituality, and yoga, but they are also a wonderful way to meet other travelers. Many retreats offer classes, hiking excursions, or meals that all guests are welcome to join.

These retreats often have structured agendas that help solo travelers plan their trips and provide a balance between solo time and group activities. By joining a wellness retreat, solo travelers surround themselves with other travelers seeking the same enriching experience.

Rosalind Cuthbertson, who co-owns Frequent Traveller travel blog, shared her experience attending such retreats. She wrote that wellness retreats unite like-minded individuals, so friendships are often instant and powerful.

“As someone who loves travel in all its forms, I can’t recommend enough the enriching experience of going on a retreat,” Cuthbertson wrote. “Solo travel can sometimes be emotionally draining. But the retreat is the perfect blend of structured activities and free time. I attended yoga classes and meditation sessions but also had time to explore the local markets and beaches,” she continued.

Top Yoga Retreat Destinations 

BookYogaRetreats.com published its top 10 yoga retreat destinations for 2023, with Portugal, Greece, and Indonesia leading the list. Last year, Costa Rica barely made the list, but this year advanced significantly. Yoga retreats in Costa Rica are eco-lodges or specialized yoga centers tucked into the jungle and bordering the beach. Popular options include Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, Luna Lodge, and Essence Arenal.

India, Thailand, Mexico, Iceland, Sweden, and the U.S. are also known for their wellness retreats. Not all retreats are solo traveler-friendly, so try to find one with many group activities and social spaces.

2. Group Adventure Tours

Adventure travel unites individuals with a flair for exciting, hands-on experiences. From watching wildfires to white-water rafting to cliff jumping, this form of travel pushes participants out of their comfort zones and leads to unforgettable experiences. Whether trekking through Patagonia, exploring temples in South America, or backpacking in the wild, adventure travel is all about embracing the unknown.

Alec Sills-Trausch, an experienced hiker and outdoor travel writer behind Explore with Alec , shared why he loves organized hiking groups as a form of solo travel. “They are a great way to meet new people and spend time outdoors. I find that many people want to get out but don’t know where to go or don’t want to go alone. A group setting makes it easier to lace up your boots and get outside!”

Joining group adventures that involve a strenuous, guided hike up a volcano and an overnight stay at a campground or in cabins is an unforgettable experience that forges a strong bond between travel partners, who support one another throughout the hike. These tours are carefully designed to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among participants who share a common interest in adventure and exploration.

While many of these activities require a certain fitness level, solo travelers can choose from hiking, rafting, cycling, or even wilderness survival. The latter was even featured in a recent Netflix original titled Happiness for Beginners , showing exactly how two solo travelers can connect during such an experience.

Adventure Travel Trade Association is a network of more than 30,000 organizations, tour operators, guides, and individuals committed to sustainability and adventure travel, offering endless options to join group adventure tours.

3. Artistic Retreats

Artists come together at retreats to improve their skills and travel. These retreats cater to all kinds of art, including music, dancing, photography, pottery, writing, and painting. While many travelers use these retreats to help them grow as artists, they are also a great networking opportunity.

Kevin Mercier, a professional travel blogger at Kevmrc.com , attended a photography retreat in Tuscany last year. The experience involved exploring the landscape and photographing medieval towns and vineyards. While some of his new companions traveled in groups, others came alone.

“It was easy to connect because we all had the same passion,” Mercier wrote about the experience. “We became like a big family, laughing and learning together.” He also explained that his photography improved throughout the trip, but the retreat also introduced him to new friends he would like to travel with in the future.

Artistic Retreat Options

Aperture Tours is a tour company specializing in providing photography experiences in various cities worldwide. They offer guided photography tours and workshops by professional photographers familiar with the local area, its culture, and its unique photographic opportunities. Travelers can join an 11-day photography workshop in Oman or another to capture Japan during winter.

Gwen Kleist, family travel expert and founder of CaliforniaFamilyTravel.com , had a similar experience at a writing retreat in Santorini, Greece. Kleist wrote that she would not have visited the island alone if it was not for the retreat. “Attending a writers retreat provided a nice balance of time at the resort working and writing, and opportunities to meet like-minded people and do a bit of sightseeing, try new restaurants, and have great company instead of going alone,” she wrote.

Another great example is The Himalayan Writing Retreat , which is more than just about writing. It is also about embracing the beauty of the Himalayas, connecting with fellow writers, and embarking on a journey of self-discovery through words. Participants can start their writing journey, overcome writer’s block, or take their work to the next level while connecting with like-minded travelers.

4. Volunteer Programs

Not all forms of travel are ethical, and some damage the environment, wildlife, and local communities. That’s why volunteer programs are essential. Volunteers dedicate their time and skills to address local and global challenges while traveling, experiencing new cultures, and meeting people. A trip that has a purpose beyond just visiting places can feel exhilarating.

Volunteer programs often include conservation, educational initiatives, teaching English, supporting medical professionals, or building houses or schools. Sometimes, volunteers are given free housing and meals in exchange for their work.

Volunteering during solo travel helps to avoid feeling lonely because participants become part of a group with shared goals, making it easier to connect with people, make friends, learn new things, and explore the area. Volunteering keeps them busy so that they won’t be bored. It also allows them to experience different cultures.

Volunteer Programs around the World

“Visitors to Hawaiʻi don’t have to choose between a hike, a walk along the beach, seeing stunning Hawaiian flowers in botanical gardens, or volunteering to help keep paradise stunning for generations to come,” said Monica Fish, a former Oahu resident and frequent traveler. “Through their Mālama Hawaiʻi Program, travelers can take their pick from many volunteering activities that allow them to experience first-hand the cultural connection between Hawaiians and the land while cleaning waterways, adding trees and plants in conservation areas, and keeping their beaches beautiful. And a bonus, many hotels offer discounts to those participating in these volunteer activities.”

Volunteering is also a popular thing to do in Costa Rica . There are many animal sanctuaries, like Jaguar Rescue Center and Sanctuary, Natuwa Macaw Sanctuary, and Toucan Rescue Ranch, where solo traveler volunteers can get involved, practice their Spanish, and connect with other solo travelers.

International Volunteer HQ is a great place to look for opportunities and trip planning. These volunteer programs include some meals and accommodation for an affordable fee. Other great websites for volunteering include Oyster Worldwide , Worldpackers , or WOOF , which pair travelers with volunteer opportunities across the globe. Travelers can spend a month or more exploring the region while volunteering.

5. Community-Based Tourism

Community-based tourism is another route for solo travelers interested in ethical travel. These programs ensure that locals experience the economic benefits of tourism while introducing travelers to new cultures and traditions. Activities commonly seen in community-based tourism include cooking classes, community tours, cultural performances, and local festivals. These activities provide an opportunity to meet locals and other travelers.

Community Tourism Ideas for Solo Travelers

Bella Bucchiotti, a travel and food writer at xoxoBella , participated in community-based tourism in Thailand. She traveled alone and stayed with a local family while she worked on their organic farm. “They welcomed me with open arms and showed me their way of life,” Bucchiotti wrote. She shopped at local markets, cooked traditional Lanna recipes, and learned skills passed down through the family.

Homestays, like the one Bucchiotti stayed at, are excellent alternatives to hotels, as they provide discounted housing while teaching travelers about local culture. Homestay tours usually include airport transfers, family meals, a week-long itinerary with activities, a cooking class, and visits to the local area.

Other community-based travel programs include Fundación En Vía , which introduces travelers to local women entrepreneurs in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Thailand, Peru, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Ecuador are also known for their community-based programs. In addition to offering homestays, these countries have sustainable eco-lodges that provide economic support to local communities.

Eco-lodges operated by indigenous communities are another way to participate in community-based tourism. Kapawi Ecolodge in Ecuador, owned by the Achar Indigenous Nation, Nemiah Valley Lodge in British Columbia, Canada, owned by the Xeni Gwet’in community, and Rewa Eco Lodge in Guyana, built and run by the people of Rewa Village, are models for responsible and sustainable tourism . Travelers can take inspiration from their operations to make more conscious and ethical choices when planning their trips.

Whether you’re in Europe alone, on a holiday solo in the UK, or wandering alone in the USA, solo travel allows you to do what you want, when you want, and where you want. Amidst all of it, hostels can be a haven for solo travelers. In addition to offering budget-friendly accommodations, many hostels have common spaces that make it easy to connect with fresh faces. Being solo, people often congregate in shared kitchens, the lobby, coworking spaces, or by the pool.

Benefits of Staying in a Hostel for Solo Travelers

Travelers can enjoy organized activities in an inclusive environment, like beach barbecues or group excursions like walking tours. Some hostels even have large offices with designated desks and a free daily welcome drink to introduce guests to one another.

Locals often own and operate these hostels, providing travelers with a more immersive experience. Guests who want to stay longer may volunteer at the hostel in exchange for free accommodations. Most hostels also offer private rooms for those who do not want to stay in a shared dorm. Travelers who opt for private accommodations can benefit from the hostel’s social activities and shared spaces without sacrificing privacy.

Featured Image Credit: ShotPrime Studio/Shutterstock

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks and was syndicated by Our Woven Journey.

Emese Maczko

How To Travel Alone: 10 Legitimately Helpful Tips for First-Timers

Discover the Freedom of Solo Travel With These 10 Essential Tips for Beginners. Your Adventure Awaits.

• Traveling solo can be just as fulfilling as traveling with family or friends with proper planning and budgeting. Step out of your comfort zone for a real adventure.
• Choose a destination that is friendly to solo travelers, with tourism industries and English-speaking locals. Connect with locals and other travelers to enrich your experience.
• Plan ahead, pre-book activities, and consider whether to have an independent trip or a small group tour. Find the best and cheapest way of accessing money, and remember to buy travel insurance. Stay connected and do something unforgettable.

Many people love to travel in groups, especially with families. It makes the trip lively, more fun, and memorable. There are also so many amazing places a family can visit on a budget . But traveling solo can also be as fulfilling as traveling with family or friends. Although it may be intimidating at first, with proper planning and budget, it can be the best trip ever. Feeling anxious to travel alone is normal, just like any other new experience. However, the real adventure starts once someone steps out of their comfort zone.

One gets many questions when a family member announces their intention to travel alone. Some of the concerns they and their loved ones may have are how much they will spend, where they’ll go, how they’ll get there, and where they will stay. These questions make budgeting for the trip feasible. This article shares some tips that answer these questions and help individuals successfully plan their first solo trip.

10 Choose A Friendly Destination For Solo Travelers

One of the top tips for traveling alone is to choose a place friendly to solo travelers that they can easily explore on their own. Interestingly, there are so many places travelers can visit alone . Some countries are easy to tour as solo travelers, and others are great for group travel. When picking a place, choose one that has many tourism industries. This means that the destination is ready to host travelers. That way, one can easily navigate around with their public transportation. Also, most of these places speak English, meaning one can easily communicate with others even if English isn’t their native language.

• Suggestions : Paris, Iceland, San Diego, Thailand, Malaysia and California

20 Questionable Places On Earth Where We Shouldn't Ever Travel Alone

9 connect with locals and other travelers.

One of the easy ways for first-time solo travelers to enrich their experience is to make new connections during their visit. Connecting with locals can lead to meaningful friendships and a better understanding of where one is touring. Check out festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and other events that offer opportunities to interact with the community. Staying in hostels, guest houses, or co-living places is a chance to meet other travelers and learn while sharing experiences. Learn how to start conversations with strangers, as it is key to connect with people.

8 Think About the Local Language

One should first consider their language and the countries that speak that language. For instance, if a traveler only speaks English, traveling to somewhere like Russia may not be ideal as many people don’t speak the language. Instead, opt for countries where English is a national language . Considering the local language people in the chosen destination speak is always wise. If someone picks rural China for the first trip and doesn’t speak Chinese, it will be difficult.

When visiting a country that only speaks a foreign language , Use translation apps and memorize some phrases beforehand.

Language Guide: Can You Travel Abroad Knowing Only English?

7 pre-book activities.

There are many reasons to choose a particular destination. For instance, many people touring New York City want to visit the Statue of Liberty . But imagine traveling all the way here and being told it's fully booked. How disappointing can that be? It's wise to book the attractions ahead of time to avoid such. The same applies to restaurants and tours.

Be sure of a place before buying the ticket.

6 Decide Whether To Have An Independent Trip Or A Small Group Tour

After settling on a destination, the next thing to decide is whether to travel independently or on an organized tour. Both have advantages, and depending on one's needs, one may be suitable over the other. There are many travel companies offering group travel. However, individuals must do thorough research before settling on the group tour. A midlife solo traveler will not want to share a bus with Gen Z party lovers. Think about convenience and logistics. A group tour may take most of the burden from a traveler since the trip is organized by someone else. But, one may lose independence and may not feel they belong.

Do both. Book a group tour for anchoring the trip, then travel independently once at the destination.

5 Plan Ahead

After deciding on the destination, start planning early. Look for flight prices and compare them to get a good deal. Prepare the most important travel documents to carry when traveling and plan how to navigate around after landing. Also, have a backup plan. Please note that things may sometimes go differently than planned. Flights can be delayed/canceled, and public transportation can go off schedule. Have all the information about flights and accommodation contacts. Then, think of a backup plan. If a taxi isn’t available, can one use a taxi? If the flight is delayed, carry an extra pair of essentials.

Work with a reasonable budget when planning.

10 Safety Tips To Be Aware Of When Traveling Alone

4 find the best and cheapest way of accessing money before traveling.

Technology has made it easier to access money and make payments from anywhere. Many destinations offer ATMs, and businesses these days accept cards. In some places, one will need to write cheques or wire transfers. Also, remember that cards are not equal, and some charge exorbitant fees, which can break the bank. For this reason, it’s best to get one of the best cards for travelers and also research cheap ways to access money when traveling.

Compare different forms of payment accepted in a destination and pick an affordable option.

3 Buy Travel Insurance

For first-time solo travelers, please note that the insurance of one’s home country isn’t accepted abroad. So, if a person gets hurt or falls sick and they have to be treated, or their items get lost or stolen, they will cater to the expenses themselves. But since that can be expensive, travel insurance can reduce the financial burden. In most cases, travelers don’t get injured or robbed when traveling, but it is always important to have travel insurance in case the worst happens.

Some credit cards provide enough coverage, so read the small print carefully.

How To Choose The Right Travel Insurance Company When Planning Your Trip

2 stay connected.

Traveling solo encourages independence, but please remember to stay connected with friends and family. Regardless of where one travels, they should always disclose their whereabouts to someone. Get a local SIM card upon arrival. It will make communication more straightforward, and navigating around will be more comfortable. One can use the SIM card to book an Uber and use Google Maps to their location.

Remember to share the new number with the most important people.

1 Do Something Unforgettable

Solo traveling allows one to be adventurous and try out something new. This is the perfect time to do things not part of the daily routine. Instead of everyday activities like swimming or relaxing on the beach, try watching whales or any water sport. There are many destinations with great whale-watching opportunities for solo travelers. Take pictures of the details in a place, even if they are minimal. Have something to look back on and recall that destination.

Bring a selfie stick to help get different angles.

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• The Billionaire Buyout: Publicity Stunt or Ultimate Luxury Travel Triumph?

Resorts around the world are promoting highly priced buyouts designed to go viral. But are they worth the money?

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The video got over seven million views. 

“It happened organically,” said Juan Vela Ruiz, vice president of Velas Resorts. “When we saw and heard what he was saying about having it all for yourself, we were thrilled. They didn’t know they would be alone. We had just opened, and there happened to be no other guests.”

Even if it hadn’t masterminded the event, the resort was quick to capitalize on it. Soon after, it began advertising a Billionaire Buyout , where you can have the entire resort to yourself for three nights for $600,000. 

The buyout puts the all-inclusive hotel’s staff of 180 at your service—that includes two-star Michelin chef Sidney Schutte. The spa and pool are all yours. You’ll arrive from the airport via helicopter and enjoy a sunset tour on the resort’s private yacht. There’s personal training sessions and after, all the Dom Pérignon you can drink.

Moreover Ruiz notes this is not a wedding buyout package nor is it for groups—it’s aimed at (and priced for) couples. 

“The price would be double for a group,” he said. “This is a unique experience for couples, geared to your needs. All the attention is on you. Many of our guests appreciate that.”

With designed-for-social-media gimmicks like a $25,000 taco , at Grand Velas, being noticed is the point. It’s privacy as ultra-conspicuous consumption. Not only does the resort get a more than half-million dollar payday, but it catches the attention of millions of eyes on social media. Double win. 

In real estate, sensational pricing is a common marketing tool. A $45 million mansion in Manhattan may not win headlines, while a $100 million mansion will. So why not price the spread at $100 million, scoop up those headlines and then sell it for whatever you can?

Is a $600,000 buyout in Los Cabos anything different? (We’re talking about it now, aren’t we?) And perhaps that’s why, the number of highly priced, non-island, non-wedding resort buyouts is booming around the world right now.

For example, the 33-room, Relais & Chateaux-endorsed Weekapaug Inn in Watch Hill, R.I., has long been a quiet, weekend escape for New Yorkers. Now, its owners—Weekapaug resident and investment tycoon Lang Wheeler and Watch Hill resident and hedge fund head Chuck Royce—are offering the entire resort as a two-night buyout for $125,000. Dubbed the Milestone Getaway, the deal commemorates the Inn’s 125th anniversary this year.

“We are naturally romantic,” Weekapaug Inn’s general manager Daniel Abrashoff tells Robb Report. “We call ourselves barefoot elegance.”

Friends and family are also welcome to join the barefoot romance. They’ll be cared for by the resort’s 130-strong staff, along with its chefs and in-house naturalist (who leads guided walks, kayak trips, and stargazing).

Equally understated is Naviva, the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, where you can now cough up $195,000 for three nights and all 15 luxury tents on its 48-acres of jungle.

Sure, big numbers make a splash, but further evidence of the buyout’s reinvention as a marketing tool is demonstrated by attempts at relative democratization. After all, why limit your customer base to the world’s roughly 2,640 billionaires?

In the mountains in Costa Rica, the Hacienda AltaGracia from Auberge Resorts is now advertising the All-About-You buyout, which takes you out into nature with an “experience designer” to tailor your stay. You might call it “baby’s first buyout,” as it gives a taste of the real thing for just $1,500 a night. And at the Wilburton Destination Resort in Vermont, an early 20th-century mansion in the Taconics you can play billionaire for only $5,000. 

“JP Morgan’s family stays every Christmas,” said Melissa Levis, whose family owns and runs the resort. “A certain billionaire who made a fortune in electric cars, not Elon Musk,” she noted, “rented the 15 bedroom mansion and only used three rooms: one for his friends, one for his wife, and one for him because he snores!”

Levis says the buyout allows them to offer guests private ski lessons at Stratton, massages, and fireside dinners.

So is the buyout still about buying absolute privacy? Or is it about social media infamy? A crass attempt at guerrilla marketing? All of the above?

Back in 1933, banking scion William Avery Rockefeller built t he Point Resort as a private retreat for his family in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. Today, the 11-room, 22-guest all-inclusive is getting back to those roots. It’s offering a $37,600 per night buyout for families or groups of friends. 

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What happens if it's cloudy for the April 8 solar eclipse?

Though everyone is hoping for clear skies, here's what might happen if an eclipse-chaser's worst enemy — clouds — decides to make an appearance.

If you cannot watch the eclipse in person or the weather is unfavorable, you can watch the total solar eclipse live here on Space.com . And keep up with all the actions with our total solar eclipse 2024 live updates blog.

It's now less than a week until the total solar eclipse on April 8 .

While many people will strive to be within the path of totality , where the moon's shadow completely blocks the sun's face. But even if you're within this path, it doesn't guarantee you'll have clear skies on eclipse day. 

So what happens if it's cloudy where you are on April 8? Will you notice anything as the moon's shadow sweeps over you?

That depends on how thick and how extensive the clouds are. Regardless, you will certainly notice some very unusual effects when the moon's shadow passes by. I have had the misfortune of being completely clouded out of two of the 13 total solar eclipses I have journeyed to, and in a third case, I managed to sneak in a view of the corona even though virtually the entire sky was clouded over. 

Related: How to give yourself the best chance of clear skies for April 8's solar eclipse

So, based on those three experiences, here is what you can expect to see if the weather does not work in your favor and you ultimately must utter those two words every eclipse chaser does not want to hear: "Clouded out!"

Passage of the moon's shadow

Available in a handy four-pack to kit out the whole family, these Celestron EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Glasses will keep you well protected while you view the eclipse. And don't miss our full guide to the best solar eclipse glasses and the best solar viewing kits to make the most of your experience.

Should there be considerable cloud cover on "E-Day," the clouds may actually have an advantage: They will provide a projection screen of sorts to view the rapid approach and departure of the moon's dark umbral shadow. Isabel Martin Lewis described the effect in her 1924 book "A Handbook of Solar Eclipses."

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"At the time of eclipse when the shadow of the moon sweeps over us we are brought into direct contact with a tangible presence from space beyond and we feel the immensity of forces over which we have no control," Lewis wrote. "The effect is awe-inspiring in the extreme. In fact, the passing of the moon's shadow, if one is fortunate to observe it, will be one of the most impressive features of the eclipse."

Mid-to-high-level clouds

If your sky is covered with mid-to-high-level clouds — cirrostratus, altostratus and/or cirrocumulus — you will likely be able to see the forward edge of the elliptical shadow move rapidly toward you and then over you just prior to and at the onset of totality. And with its passage may come a remarkable change in the overall quality of light on the surrounding landscape and a dramatic change in the clouds' color. 

On July 10, 1972, at my very first total solar eclipse , my family and I were located just outside Cap-Chat, Quebec, a sleepy Canadian community of 2,000 whose population swelled to nearly 30,000 on eclipse day. The eclipse began under bright sunshine, mixed with some wispy high clouds. But as more and more of the sun became covered, the high cloudiness quickly increased and began to lower so that, at the onset of totality, virtually the whole sky was covered by a swath of battleship-gray clouds. 

But upon the arrival of the moon's shadow, we saw its distinctly sharp edge move in. For those of a certain age who might remember the long-running television soap opera "The Edge of Night," whose opening showed an animation with a line of darkness sweeping over a city, that's exactly what I was reminded of as we were enveloped by the moon's umbral shadow. Once you actually experience it for yourself, it becomes easy to understand why this sight was so terrifying to ancient people. 

Along with the sudden darkness came a change in the clouds' color. Behind the forward-moving edge of the moon's shadow were strange and exotic colors. The dull gray suddenly became yellow-orange and tints you'd see while looking through a beer or iodine bottle. Indeed, along the very edge of the disappearing sun at the start and end of totality, an arc of ruby red or fuchsia associated with the solar chromosphere appeared. It looked bright red because the hydrogen in the sun was emitting a reddish light at high temperatures, and some of this light may become evident in the clouds at the beginning and end of totality.  

Some final comments regarding my 1972 eclipse experience. Despite the heavy cloud cover, we managed to catch sight of the totally eclipsed sun through a fortuitous opening in the overcast sky, some 30 seconds after totality began. As totality was ending, we saw the back edge of the shadow distinctly, projected on the clouds, racing away to the northeast. I remember my grandfather calling out to my grandmother, "Inez! Look, look! It's going that way." Meanwhile, my sister Lisa, taking this all in, said simply, "That was weird! " 

"Incredible sight!"

Interestingly, in March 1970, during special coverage of the total solar eclipse on CBS TV , correspondent Bill Plante (1938-2022) was stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, under cloudy skies. Yet he was quite attentive to the changes taking place as the lunar shadow swept in. 

"In the last 30 seconds we have witnessed the most incredible sight — in spite of the fact that we cannot see the sun — for it has become as dark as night!" he said. "The light has fallen so quickly, from an acceptable twilight or reading level or cloud-cover level, to virtual night. And just off to the north and to the east, beneath this layer of dark, dark sky, there is a lovely pink and orange horizon; an orange and gold color. We say again, it was just an incredible and fascinating phenomenon, to have the skies go so suddenly dark, in less than 30 seconds, and now we have this totality of an eclipse!"

It sounds like Plante was impressed, despite the clouds.

Just a few clouds  

Sometimes, you're lucky enough to get a mainly clear sky. But even then, unfortunately, one of the few clouds in the sky might happen to be in front of the sun during the total phase of the eclipse. 

That happened to me on Oct. 12, 1977, in Colombia, South America. During the 38-second interval of totality, a single rag of cloud drifted in front of the sun. Should something like that happen to you, the best you can do is look around the darkened sky for some of the brighter stars and planets and try to watch for the passage of the moon's shadow. 

As I noted in my personal journal later on, "When totality arrived, virtually the entire sky was clear and the seeing and transparency were close to excellent. We were able to easily see seven stars and were awed at third contact by the passage of the moon's umbral shadow cone retreating rapidly to the east. And in the east, part of a rainbow changed to all red just as totality began. 

"There was only one thing wrong: The sun was behind a cloud! It began encroaching upon the sun a few minutes before totality and left just a minute or two after the sun began to reappear. As if to rub salt into the wound, not another cloud interfered, even as the partially eclipsed sun set behind the Andes! For me, Colombia was Cap Chat in reverse. What goes around, comes around!"

For more on this misadventure, read my colleague Glenn Schneider's comments . 

Thick, low clouds 

Finally, there is the possibility that on eclipse day, your view will be covered by clouds at low altitudes, generally below 6,500 feet (1,980 meters). They tend to be thick, low, flat clouds that cover large areas and often bring precipitation. 

In December 2021, my wife Renate and I were on board an icebreaker, sailing off the coast of Antarctica, when we encountered the moon's shadow for a total eclipse lasting just over a minute and a half. Unfortunately, our skies were heavily overcast with low clouds and spotty, light precipitation. 

In such a situation, the effects of a total solar eclipse can best be described as being in a lighted room where someone turns a dimmer switch down and then turns it back up, causing the light to return. 

As I noted in my story for Space.com , "Totality lasted 97 seconds. No distinct shadow or cone of darkness was noted. Rather, just an amorphous darkening of the sky — like someone turning down a rheostat or dimmer switch. No colors were seen and the end of totality seemed more pronounced as the light seemed to come back quicker than it when it faded away. During totality, it actually began to drizzle very lightly and a few minutes after third contact it actually started to snow lightly. The air temperature hovered at around 0°C (32°F), but factoring in the winds made it feel noticeably colder."

Final thoughts 

I suppose Antarctica was the most disappointing of all my eclipse experiences; aside from getting dark and light again, there really wasn't much more to see. I hope everyone who positions themselves in the path of the moon's dark shadow will get a clear view of the April 8 eclipse. But as you can see, unless the clouds are low and thick with some rain or snow falling, the moon's shadow racing by and the eerie colors accompanying it should still make for quite a show!

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Joe Rao is Space.com's skywatching columnist, as well as a veteran meteorologist and eclipse chaser who also serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers' Almanac and other publications. Joe is an 8-time Emmy-nominated meteorologist who served the Putnam Valley region of New York for over 21 years. You can find him on Twitter and YouTube tracking lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers and more. To find out Joe's latest project, visit him on Twitter.

This solar eclipse simulator on SkySafari will guide you through the eclipse on April 8

Total solar eclipse 2024: Live updates

Southern Illinois will get its 2nd solar eclipse in a decade this year

• FranRouse I was lucky enough to live downtown Charleston, S.C. in 2017 and witness the Total Solar Eclipse. It was a sight to see for sure and I hope to see this one. Only thing is now I live near Pittsburgh, Pa. and not in the direct path. And the weather is unpredictable this time of year with rain and still even snow possible. Ive seen a few eclipses in my lifetime and the one thing I want to stress is PLEASE WEAR EYE PROTECTION!!!!!!!!! When I was younger and seen my first one as kids we thought we were invincible and well being Gen X our parents weren't always around and a lot of us didn't have a clue about not looking directly into the sun. And some of us have really bad eyesight and as we get even older it's failing rapidly. I made that mistake back then so my eyes aren't good anymore. In 2017 I wore protection and made sure all my family wore it to witness the Eclipse. And all of them will wear it if we get the chance to see it this time also. Reply
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Travel and tourism to break records, bring over $11 trillion in 2024: report

The global travel and tourism industry is expected to be at an 'all-time high' this year.

Air travel demand is incredibly strong: TSA Administrator David Pekoske

TSA Administrator David Pekoske discusses air travel demand, flight disruptions, his experience going through TSA and firearm detections at checkpoints.

Travel and tourism is expected to be a boon for the global economy this year.

Countries around the world will see travel and tourism produce $11.1 trillion in 2024, according to a report released Thursday by the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The group said the forecasted global economic contribution would mark an "all-time high" from the roughly $10 trillion the industry brought in pre-pandemic 2019.

Countries around the world will see travel and tourism produce $11.1 trillion in 2024, according to a report. (  / iStock)

The coronavirus hit many industries hard, with travel and tourism in particular seeing negative impacts from the lockdowns and restrictions instituted in the early days of the pandemic.

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This year,   both international and domestic tourists are expected to splash out during their travels.

The report, which involved a partnership with Oxford Economics, projected a record $5.4 trillion in spending would come from domestic travelers. That would set a record, according to the WTTC.

Meanwhile, international tourists will reportedly contribute $1.89 trillion.

The report projected a record $5.4 trillion in spending from domestic travelers. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

And the WTTC had an even rosier outlook for a decade from now, when it predicted global tourism and travel will be responsible for nearly $16 trillion and 449 million jobs.

ECLIPSE TOURISM EXPECTED TO BRING BIG BUCKS TO AREAS IN PATH OF TOTALITY

The travel and tourism industry’s performance in 2023 provided momentum for this year, the group said.

In 2023, it produced $9.9 trillion around the world .

"This isn’t just about breaking records, we’re no longer talking about a recovery – this is a story of the sector back at its best after a difficult few years, providing a significant economic boost to countries around the world and supporting millions of jobs," WTTC CEO Julia Simpson said in a Thursday statement. "There’s a risk however, we need the U.S. and Chinese governments to support their national Travel & Tourism sectors."

Passengers walk past a flight status board in Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, Jan. 11, 2023, after the FAA grounded all U.S. flights, reportedly due to an FAA computer system failure. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via / Getty Images)

The head of the WTTC warned the U.S . and China could "continue to suffer whilst other countries are seeing international visitors return much faster" if they don’t.

CRUISE LINES SAILING INTO 2024 SEEING STRONG DEMAND, AAA SAYS

The group pegged 2023’s U.S. international visitor spending at "more than a quarter below the peak of 2019" and China’s "almost 60% down."

In August, the WTTC issued a prediction that the U.S. travel and tourism industry would provide $2.2 trillion in 2023. It was responsible for $2 trillion the year prior to that.